The Milan News-Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Local resident offers convenient fitness options
Darling tailors to clients' needs
By Krystle Dunham, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: November 27, 2008
Parents looking to fit some exercise into their mornings before starting their day may want to check out Fitness Complete.
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Fitness Complete is run by Helen Darling of Milan, who started her business nine years ago.
Darling teaches yogaball and pure strength classes on Tuesday and Friday mornings at Dance Xplosion Studio of Dance Arts, 64 W. Main St., in Milan.
With a variety of music suited for her two classes and all equipment provided by the dance studio, Darling said future clients can expect to see a workout environment that is flexible and accommodating.
When it comes to what type of workout Darling teaches, she said she listens to what her clients want and reminds them to go at their own pace.
"We don't sit right there and compare each other," she said. "You have to constantly listen to your body, but you do need to challenge yourself."
Darling has taught a variety of fitness classes for 15 years and is a certified aerobics instructor through the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.
She also has certifications in CPR, kickboxing and hatha yoga.
The 43-year-old started teaching fitness classes in Milan when she married her husband, Doug, and moved to Milan 16 years ago. She said she used to drive to Ann Arbor to teach exercise classes, but once she had her children she wanted to be closer to home and eliminate out-of-town workouts.
Darling has three sons who attend school in the Milan School District. Ian is 13, Dayton is 11 and Simon, 9.
As Darling became accustomed to the Milan area, she realized there was no place for residents to exercise. So, she took it upon herself to change things and start teaching fitness classes in Milan.
"I wanted to do something that would be helpful to the people here," she said. "I like Milan."
Currently Darling is offering a yogaball class at 6 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays. The class consists of basic yoga poses such as "downward facing dog," while using a plastic medicine ball with poses.
Darling's pure strength class is part strengthening and part cardio. Clients will perform a variety of stretches and will break a sweat while using weights and steps. Darling said the class is meant to build muscle strength for endurance for daily living and is held at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays.
"As we age, our bodies change constantly and we realize we need good things (exercise) for our bodies," Darling said.
Felicia Weber of Milan said she has been coming to Darling's Pure Strengthening class since September and has previously taken a yoga class with Darling.
Weber has four children who attend school in the Milan School District and she finds Darling's classes to be convenient. Once she drops off her kids at school, Weber heads downtown to work out at Fitness Complete.
As a devoted runner who hits the pavement a couple of days a week, Weber said the strengthening techniques she learns in Darling's class complement her running.
"It's all encompassing, top to bottom," Weber said. "The workouts are always different."
Darling said she is open to teaching classes beyond what she is already, saying: "It depends on what people want, because there is a mix for people that come to my classes right now."
"These are fun classes," she said. "I enjoy what I'm doing and that's all that matters."
Krystle Dunham is a freelance writer. She can be reached at krystleadunham@gmail.com.
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