TODAY,THE MALL OFFERS SO MUCH more than shopping. Nowadays, shopping malls can help us get into shape and attain better self-confidence.

Here are 5 healthy reasons to go to shopping malls:

1. Malls have numerous healthy options to choose from, all within budget.
According to Cheryl Koch, MS,RD, a leading dietician at the John Hopkins Bayview Medical Center; eating healthy boils down to the choices available. ‘Today, the sheer numbers of food choices at the malls enable people to choose healthy food over unhealthy ones,’ says Koch.

Moreover, malls have activity centers where kids and grown ups can have fun.

2. You can become leaner, stronger and lighter at the mall
Want a leaner lower half? Go Ice Skating. The gluteus maximus muscle or ‘glutes’ are located in our thighs, buttocks and hips. Largest and most visible of the gluteal muscle group, glutes make up the shape and form of our buttocks.

Lucy Danziger, editor-in-chief of SELF Magazine explains, ‘Glutes create an external rotation when contracted (like the side pushing motion in skating), so doing moves in that same range of motion makes the exercises more effective. Contracting glutes at the end of each skate stroke to work the muscles to full potential.’

Want to have a great cardio workout? Go Bowling.

The lunges involved in bowling are a cardio work out. Men’s Health Magazine explains that ‘working the lower body with exercises that hit hips at different angles will build overall strength and tone.’

3. Malls are safe.
Ice skating rinks and bowling alleys in malls are equipped with great security devices. Instead of worrying about your bags and  valuables, you can now worry about your skating form or tone up your muscles as you go for that next strike out.

4. Target problem areas easily
Bowling tones your upper arms and your thighs while you have fun competing with your friends.

Doing the ‘lift’ in bowling tones your biceps and triceps while strengthening your hamstrings.

‘It will help you .bum more calories if you go for defined moves when you lift or roll the bowling ball. Try doing the move slowly and
deliberately,’ says Adam Campbell of Women’s Health Magazine.

Ice skating, on the other hand; increases flexibility and calve muscle strength. You can stretch and tone your calves and hamstrings
as you experiment with different ice skating techniques. (www.skatingfitness.com).

5. Get that healthy attitude back
Bowling and skating will encourage you to do your best and be your best. Nothing is more healthy than a dose of self-appreciation and motivation.

Want to stay fit and healthy? Head on to the nearest SM Ice Skating or SM Bowling Center today.