February 23, 2004
Let's go bowling!

THERESA: Someone from www.bowl.com sent me a bunch of press material about the merits of bowling to stay in shape. Hmm. I'm skeptical, but hey, a night of bowling with a bunch of friends burns more calories than just sitting at a bar knocking back cocktails.

My family recently went bowling at Chelsea Pier in NYC--- there's a great bowling alley there (right next to the new driving range... Manhattan has become SO family friendly.) Anyway, the bowling alley had all the great lights and bells and whistles and baby bumpers you'll find nowadays that distinguish alleys of today from Rodeo City Lanes, where I used to bowl back West when I was a kid. The place was teeming with people, old, young, hip, big, little. It was fun.

Here are some bowling factoids that you might find interesting:

  • Bowling is one of the most widely participated sports in the country.
  • It's a great release mentally (taking out the stress of the day on knocking down those pins).
  • Bowling balls can double as dumbbells - they come in 4 - 16 lbs. You can do curls, side lifts, etc. A bowling ball has dual usage!
  • Bowling is one fitness activity that you can do with your family, as it's great for both children and seniors.
  • Bowling is a full body workout, strengthening and toning one's arms, chest, back, legs and shoulders. In fact, the body uses 134 different muscles when bowling.
  • Bowling burns 250 calories an hour.
  • A bowler walks an average of about 6/10 of a mile in a three-game series.
  • Bowling also provides an excellent exercise option for those with physical limitations. Centers can be found all over the nation. For a center nearest your home or vacation destination, visit www.bowl.com. Here's a Philly list.

    What do you think, ladies, shall we join a league? Are any of you bowlers? What bowling memories can you share?

    LAURIE: Why not? It would give us all an excuse to buy one of those cool designer 'bowling bag'-style purses. Just to, you know, look like we belong. I think there's something called laser bowling where they have light shows and music - anybody know about that?

    YVONNE: Yes, most of the bowling alleys now have cosmic bowling Saturday nights with the lights you are talking about, Laurie. I was at one alley recently that had drop-down screens that played videos. Very cool..I love bowling. Let's organize a Girlfriend's night. A friend of mine up in Systems would love to have us and readers at the place where he's a star.