By Laura Hipshire
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The forecast predicts a wind chill factor of 10°F below zero, and going outside means clearing off the car and braving icy roads. With weather like this, it seems almost impossible to go out for a brisk walk or to drive to the gym.

People living at Fox Run, in Novi, don’t face such a dilemma. The question there isn’t how they’ll find a way to exercise during the winter, but rather what type of fitness activity they’d like to choose during the cold months.

Fitness center and fun classes
Fox Run offers residents a wide variety of indoor fitness activities, including indoor walking through the community’s glass-enclosed, climate-controlled walkways; an all-season, indoor  swimming pool; and a fitness center equipped with state-of-the-art treadmills, recumbent bikes, and air resistance machines.

The community also offers a number of fun classes that help residents stay fit without having to brave the outdoor cold. Some of the classes offered include Jazzercise, water aerobics, water volleyball, line dancing, and yoga.

Getting fit with interactive games
One of the latest indoor fitness crazes to hit Fox Run is the Nintendo Wii (pronounced “we”), an interactive video game that features handheld controllers that detect movement in three directions.

Wii games at Fox Run include virtual bowling, tennis, and golf.

“The Wii games have really taken off lately, especially the bowling,” explains Alice Hixson, the community’s wellness coordinator.

The games are primarily run by residents like Cathy Cossey, who moved to Fox Run from Indian River in 2004.

“I bowl twice a week,” she says.

The games are played on a big screen TV located in one of the community clubhouses. Cossey sets up the game for players and helps beginners get started. Currently, there are 14 regular bowlers, including Cossey. “Most of our players  have bowled before,” she says,referring to traditional bowling. Most participants are new to Wii bowling.