The Top 11 fitness classes for winter at the Paseo Club

There is a reason we use the term winter doldrums. Winter can be dark, gray, and bleary. Our emotions tend to correspond — depressed, moody, and lethargic.

Staying cozy and comfortable can have a strong pull. Warm blankets and a soft couch. Hot cocoa and potato chips. 

Sticking with habits or creating new ones takes determination and a supportive environment. The Paseo Club of Valencia offers over 60 fitness classes each week with a wonderful staff of instructors who can help you stay excited about being active. 

In this article, we will discuss what unique challenges people face to exercise in the winter, how to stay motivated, and the best fitness classes for winter at the Paseo Club.

What challenges are people facing as they move into February?

Exercising consistently during the winter can be difficult for many people. There are several obstacles you may face.

• Commitment to New Year's resolutions begins to wane as weeks pass, and the frustrations of real life present challenges to making new habits.
• As we move into February, the weather is at its coldest. Colder temps deter people from leaving the house, especially if it's raining or gray skies. 
• Seasonal depression (SAD) can take hold, making it hard to get motivated to do anything active. Movement is the best medicine for depression as it increases endorphins. Instead, most people tend to lay around watching movies and eating comfort foods instead of hitting the courts or gym.  

How can people stay motivated when they have these obstacles?

It is natural to feel short on willpower and heavy on excuses in the winter. The sofa can seem to have a magnetic pull to keep you warm and cozy. But there are tips and tricks to stay committed and motivated to your fitness goals.

• One of the best ways to stay consistent with your exercise routine is to attend a group exercise class. An instructor will help push you ahead — more so than if you train on your own. Fellow classmates can encourage you and keep you accountable for regular attendance. Group exercise can help introduce you to members with similar goals and values, thus creating a positive peer community.
• Register for small group or personal training if you want a dedicated instructor who gives you customized attention and guidance. This extra attention can help you break out of your rut and get inspired. 
• If you enjoy a little competition, find a race or fitness event to sign up for. A looming event date can help you to schedule your training program and stick with it.
• Get outdoors to break up your monotony. Although it can be uncomfortable initially, a jog on the paseos or a hike in the hills warms you up and invigorates your mood. Plus, you’ll get a little Vitamin D.
• Playing a sport can be so much fun that you almost forget you are exercising. Join a rec soccer, softball, or basketball league or meet friends on the tennis or pickleball court.  

What are the 11 best winter fitness classes at the Paseo Club? 

Most of our classes are indoors. This means it is always the right temperature to exercise at the Paseo Club. 

Zumba

Zumba is one of the most upbeat, joy-filled exercise classes you could join. The music lifts your spirits, and the dance moves are a great workout. If you love Zumba, you can also check out our other fun dance-based classes, barre, or the monthly Line and Wine. 
Time: Saturday at 8-9 am and Sunday 9:30-10:15 am

Cardio Strength

If you want to get pushed, attend Cardio Strength. This class is a mix of high and low-impact cardio movements, such as jumping jacks combined with strengthening exercises like thrusters and biceps curls. You don’t love cardio but love the weights? Try Strength and Tone, which is a strength-only class. 
Time: Monday 7-7:45 am and 6-6:45 pm, Tuesday 10:30-11:15 am, Thursday 6-7 pm, Saturday 9:15-10 am, Sunday 8:30-9:15 am

Barre

Barre is a ballet-inspired class that helps you to develop poise and improve your strength and mobility. This is a great class for people who love dance and want to protect their joints by doing low-impact movements.  
Time: Tuesday 9:15-10:15 am and 7-7:45 pm, Thursday 9-9:45 am

Strictly Strength

Strictly Strength is a choreographed barbell class that will help you build muscle, tone your body, and make your bones denser. You will learn safe techniques and proper form for weightlifting. This is an essential class for runners, tennis and pickleball players, and other cardio enthusiasts who need to cross-train.
Time: Monday 8:30-9:30 am, Wednesday 5:45-6:45 pm, Friday 9-10 am

HIIT in 30

HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training)  is a 30-minute high-intensity interval class that builds strength and burns fat like nothing else. You will perform short bursts of high-energy movements interspersed with rest intervals. This is the class for when you are short on time but want to ensure you get a full-body workout.  
Time: Saturday 8:15-8:45 am

Pilates Mat

Pilates Mat is a core-focused workout that will lean your mid-section, give you better posture, and help improve your mobility. This class is done completely on yoga mats and does not use the Pilates reformer machine. This is a great class for when you need a low-impact workout. Pilates Mat can also be part of your recovery from cardio and strength training activities. 
Time: Monday 10:45-11:30 am, Wednesday 9:15-10 am, Thursday 10-10:45 am

Cycle Class

Cycle class is purely cardiovascular and targets the legs and glutes. It is great for supporting your heart health and boosting endurance, and it is low impact, so it is easy on ankles, knees, and hips. Cycle is an upbeat, challenging class and is a great place to meet other members and bond over sweating it out together.
Time: Monday 6-6:45 pm, Tuesday 6-6:45 am, 8:30-9:15 am, and 6-7 pm, Wednesday 5:30-6:30 pm, Thursday 7-7:45 am and 6-6:45 pm 
Specialty cycle classes: Monday (unplugged) 8:30-9:30 am and Wednesday (express) 8:30-9 am

Restorative Yoga

Exercise doesn’t always have to leave you a sweaty heap on the floor. Attend our restorative yoga classes if you want something more gentle. Stretch your tired muscles, increase flexibility, and enjoy a peaceful environment. Yoga supports mindfulness, reducing stress and anxiety. Yoga class is an incredible antidote to the busy pace of life.
Time: Monday 9:30-10:30 am and 4:30-5:30 pm, Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 pm

Liquid Cardio

Liquid Cardio is a water aerobics class that you can enjoy in our gorgeous junior Olympic pool. Enjoy a fun cardio and strength workout using the water and small weights as resistance. This class is a wonderful option for people who love the water and are looking for a beginner option. Enjoy the social element of this great group class. It is taught five times a week, so you can attend this class multiple times per week.
Time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9:15-10:15 am, Tuesday and Thursday 9-10 am

Walking Class

Walking class is a social class that takes you out on the paseos of Santa Clarita. Stretch your legs and get your heart rate elevated while making new friends. This morning class is a great way to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the SCV and get some gentle cardio exercise. 
Time: Thursdays and Saturdays 7-8 am

Small Group Programs

Small group training are speciaIty programs the Paseo Club instructors developed to help you get more personalized attention and custom challenges. These classes limit participation to just 8-11 members, which gives you the benefit of lots of one-on-one guidance, making them an effective way to help you meet your fitness goals. Join our Greatest Results Challenge or Tribe sessions and enjoy six weeks of focused training. 
Time: The next 6-week session begins February 26. (Days and times TBD)

Embracing exercising throughout all the seasons

It is natural to go in and out of your fitness routine. Sometimes an injury, a trip, or a busy schedule can sideline you from physical activities. 

But you don’t need to stay in a slump. Whether it is a group class, a new activity that inspires you, or signing up with a personal trainer to get expert assistance, there are many ways to exercise.

The Paseo Club knows that people need different forms of movement, whether it is weights, cardio, or mobility. That is why we have a full athletics calendar with dozens of classes you can choose from. Mix and match to help you feel your best!

The Paseo Club is a social club in the Santa Clarita Valley that has been open for over twenty years. We offer fitness, pickleball, tennis, and swim programs. Members also love to linger over food and drinks at the cafe or one of our many social events.

If you would like to join a community of people who are dedicated to living a healthy, connected lifestyle, the Paseo Club may be the place for you. Schedule a tour of the club to check out all eight acres of the facilities.