Just hearing the word can send many of us back to middle school, waiting at our teacher's desk at first bell, swallowing our dread and armed to the teeth with excuses of why we didn’t have our homework. Middle school, of course, has come and gone for many of us, but that doesn’t mean we don’t ever use those lessons we learned from our days as homework con-men.
In fact, when it comes to exercise, we often become regular Charles Ponzies! And who could blame us? Life is chock full of responsibilities that drain us in varying degrees. Whether its work, school, parenting, or even mowing the lawn last minute because we’ve neglected it for a week—either because it’s payday and we can finally afford the gas for the lawnmower or the weatherman is calling for rain—we all have our own little energy vampires that leave our batteries at zero. At least, that’s what we tell ourselves. I mean sure, it’s true that we aren’t exactly energizer bunnies, but I’d wager to say we all have a little gas left in the tank—even though we may not realize it. Actually, after a long hard day, we do a lot more than we think on that “empty” tank of ours. Maybe we go out with friends for a drink or dinner, or catch a movie.
In today’s world of glowing screens in all directions, maybe instead we stay home for the movie, or binge watch that last season of our new favorite show. Maybe we play video games, or maybe we read a book. Whatever our taste, we choose how we use that little gas left in the tank. So why not use some of it on exercise? If you haven’t heard, gas these days is pretty darn high and doesn’t look to be slowing down too much. The dollar meanwhile continues to drop to the point that pulling up to gas pump can feel like a funeral—RIP savings account.
But with gas more valuable by the day, shouldn’t we get the most out of our tank? Exercise, after all, is one of the most crucial things we can do for our bodies, offering long-term benefits for our health, both mentally and physically. But you don’t have to take it from me. Just ask the CDC, who list several benefits of exercise across all ages, including weight loss—which can improve immune health, blood pressure and cholesterol—and brain health benefits such as decreased anxiety, improved cognition, better sleep, and even help to offset the effects of dementia and other cognitive impairment. There are probably a hundred more reasons why we should exercise, and by 2022 we’ve probably heard most of them before. So why then can we be so quick to avoid it—as my mother used to so aptly put it—like the plague? Sure, we can say the tank is empty. Only, we forget how much we do with that “empty” tank. It’s because we forget that, exercise can seem like so much in the moment. But really it only takes a little—thirty minutes a day for five days a week will do. That’s only two and a half hours for an entire week—peanuts compared to the hours we spend at work, with the kids, at school, or even just lost in our screens.
It’s something all of us can do, some of us already do, and most of us should do. And good news! Unlike the dollar, time always holds its value. Lucky for us, that means we only have to invest a little to make that little gas we have left go pretty far. This is especially lucky news for us Clintonians, as there are many more ways to get out and exercise right here in our hometown than you may have ever thought! There are options for anyone and everyone—the young, the seasoned, and senior alike. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get moving this summer, with some of these great options our local community has to offer!
One of the first options that comes to mind, the Clinton Community Center has some really great opportunities for all ages! Open every day but Sunday, from Monday-Thursday (5:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.), Fridays (5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), and Saturdays (6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.), your local Community Center offers a walking track for ages 14 and up, an open gymnasium, and even a workout area fully equipped to meet all your exercise needs! The track and gymnasium are both free to come in and use anytime, just fill out a temp card and head on your way. For the workout area, you’ll need to take a short walkthrough orientation when you come in to access to the exercise equipment offered. If you plan on coming back, be sure to register at the front desk to
receive your very own Clinton Community Center card! This can save you some time in the future, as you won’t have to fill out a temp card each time you come back. If you’re not already at the Community Center, or if you’re a first timer, make sure to call ahead of time so they can prepare for your orientation.
Something you may not know about the Clinton Community Center is that it also includes an aerobics area where various classes are held on regular scheduled days and times weekly. The only class currently offered, Body and Soul, is held on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the aerobics area. Instructed by Lora Rucker, the class focuses on core muscle strength, and includes a variety of arm and leg workouts alternating days.
If you didn’t know about the aerobics area, maybe you’ve noticed the baseball fields around town are getting pretty active these days. That’s because Parks and Recreation slow-pitch softball leagues along with youth t-ball and coach pitch leagues have been in full swing—pun intended. While sign up for youth baseball has long since ended, for any adults out there not particularly afraid of the dog days of summer and looking for exercise with an extra side of fun, the adult co-ed softball league is still accepting sign-ups. If interested, hurry to the Clinton, MO website and sign up through the activities link under the Parks and Recreation tab. You’ll have to create an account, but it’s super quick and easy. Registration ends soon and games will start in the first week of August. The registration is for full team sign-ups, and there’s an entry fee for the league, at $300 per team, which can be paid through the website. Parsing this fee out among teammates could be a cost-efficient idea. If you’re an individual who would like to participate, but run into difficulty trying to put together a team or aren’t sure where to start, don’t lose hope!
You still have the opportunity to sign-up, and potentially join a team in need of an extra player or two. Keep in mind also that there are several Park and Recreation leagues available year-round, especially for youth sports. So, make sure that you pop into the Clinton MO website from time to time to check it out!
If you’re not too fond of the summer sweat, another great option for Clintonians to get active this summer is the Artesian Pool, which offers several fun opportunities to get active, all while beating the heat. Offering Open Swim on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays through Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Artesian pool is open seven days a week, perfect for all those parents out there who might just want to take the kids for a swim a couple times a week. It’s also a great chance to get active for all those out there working on that summer tan. Of course, Artesian Pool has other great options too, such as Lap Swims and Water Aerobics classes. Available to the public for just two dollars per swim, as the name suggests Lap Swims offer us aquatic inclined Clintonians the opportunity to get into the water and swims laps for exercise. The pool is open for Lap Swims on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 6:15 a.m. to 7:15 a.m., and Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Starting July 25th, Lap Swims times will change to Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on all weekdays. If you’re interested in Water Aerobics, a particularly popular option for you seniors out there, Artesian Pool offers classes Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m., and also from 7:00 to 7:45 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. It’ll run you six dollars per class, but if you plan on making it a summer staple, the pool also offers fifty-dollar punch cards, good for up to ten classes.
If the pool isn’t your thing, turn your head a little to the left and you’ll find yourself looking at Artesian Park, open from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. seven days a week. An oldie but goodie, Artesian Park includes free to use tennis and basketball courts along with playgrounds for the kiddos. It also has something you may have overlooked in recent years; a disc golf course. For those that are aware of the course however, it’s become both a fun and easygoing pastime to keep active year-round. Just ask fellow Clintonians Steven Collins and Steven Phillips, pictured below, who were all smiles after braving the early hours of a hot Friday afternoon slinging sweat along with discs in the early July sunshine.
When asked about the course, Steven Phillips, a long ago Clintonian and former Clinton Cardinals quarterback that returned here to his hometown back in May of 2021 and actually
helped to complete the back half of the disc-golf course, told the Daily Democrat that he wanted to “express sincere thanks to fellow Clintonian Tim Komer for all his help with bringing the course together.” Phillips also indicated in further conversation that there’s many in the community who may not know about the course, and that “word of mouth” could lead to a better turnout. So, if you’re reading this and didn’t know, now you know. Next time you head to pool, maybe bring a frisbee and give it try. It’s not far off the beaten path after all.
If you are looking for some off the beaten path options for your daily serotonin boost however, look no further than the Katy Trail. Located across Greg Smith Ford behind that green, landmark caboose tattooed with MKT in big yellow letters, the Katy trail remains a popular place to get some exercise for Clintonians and out-of-towners of all ages. And who can blame them?
Whether its walking, jogging or biking, the Katy Trail can be whatever you want it to be. Maybe you want to take a Sunday stroll in the fresh air, or do some light jogging. Maybe you’re training for marathon, or want to fit some cycling into your routine. Whatever your motive, the Katy Trail is just one of the great outdoors options for exercise our hometown has to offer!
Some other great options include the conservation trails, which are available to bike or walk year-round, and the Bark Park. The trails, located next to the conservation office on South Main
Street, are free to use and consist of three trails: the East Loop (1.2 mi), West Loop (1.6 mi), and Wetland Loop (1.3 mi). These trails, maintained by the conservation department, are a great go to for some light exercise, especially for all those nature goers or dog lovers out there. If you’re a fan of fishing, you can even pack a pole for after your walk and cast a line at the pond located at the front of the conservation office. If you don’t have pole, no worries! The conservation office is happy to lend you one—just be sure to dig up or purchase your own bait before you come.
The Bark Park is an especially cool place for all the dog lovers in town. Tucked away just behind the Community Center, you could be forgiven if you missed it, but for those who haven’t the Bark Park has become a great place for some afternoon fetching and fun! For those that haven’t ever been and are interested, you’ll have to get a permit to use it, which you can easily sign up for online at the Clinton MO website under the Parks and Recreation tab. The permit isn’t free, but at five dollars annually, it’s a very affordable option for owners and their loyal companions to get out and active year-round. Just make sure you have proof of your puppers immunizations when you sign up. Can I get a woof woof?
Of course, these are just few more of the many options us Clintonians are fortunate to have to get out there and get active this summer and beyond—whatever your preference might be. So, whether you’re young, seasoned, or senior, a parent, nature goer or dog lover, or maybe even a unique mix of all of these, with more reasons than ever to ditch those excuses for little exercise, now’s the time to get out there, get active, and get the most out of those empty tanks. As it turns out, there’s quite a lot we can do with them, after all.
