Jessica and Dashawn Luttrell have been offering a free fitness class for the past three months in an effort to help Mansfield residents stay healthy.
The Mansfield Fit Camp is offered free of charge to community members from 6 to 7 p.m. every Monday and 9 to 10 a.m. every Saturday at the Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center, 445 Bowman St.
“We welcome all ages and all fitness levels,” said Jessica Luttrell. “We are distributors for Herbal Life and we started having a lot of clients here, but a lot of people did not know about the exercise component of it and working out, so we decided to bring a fit camp here. It just gives them a way to learn how to work out and take care of their bodies.”
The fit camp started in April with four or so people and that number has almost tripled in three months, said Dashawn, a former Mansfield resident and Mansfield Senior High School graduate.
Jessica said the class does all kinds of exercises including strength training, cardio, circuits, intervals, partner workouts and pretty much anything they can do to keep the blood flowing.
“We also try to keep them challenged throughout the week as well,” she said. “We only meet twice a week, so we teach them exercises to do at home too.”
The Luttrells refer to their effort as Mansfield PREP (Positively Restoring and Empowering People).
“We just want to bring positivity to the community through health and fitness and fitness awareness, to make sure everyone is able to take care of themselves; not just rich people, not just people who can go to big gyms and have personal trainers but everyone can exercise and everyone can take care of themselves,” she said.
Jessica said they have gotten amazing community support and plan to keep helping the community exercise. There will be an upcoming event in September called Midnight Madness, a 3K walk, run and rally to further promote fitness and a healthy lifestyle.
Mansfield resident Paula Parker has been coming to the Mansfield Fit Camp since the beginning.
“I enjoy it,” she said of the exercise class. “It’s good to have somebody else to workout with because when you work out by yourself you are not as motivated. But when you work out with a group of people, we encourage each other.”
Parker said she doesn’t know how many pounds she’s lost since attending the fitness class but she knows she’s lost inches.
“I got into a pair of size 10 pants yesterday that I know, for three years, I have not been able to fit into,” she said with a smile on her face. “I had been buying (size) 14s and I keep having to buy new belts to make them tighter.”
Parker said she appreciates that the class is free and open to anyone at any fitness level.
“A lot of people can’t afford to go to the Y or even the place that’s only $10,” she said. “Some people don’t even have $10 (a month) to put in their budget.”
Exercise is important for all people but especially the African-American race, Jessica said.
“Out of all races we lead in diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure,” she said. “It’s important to remember that we also have to watch what we eat and to also teach our kids to exercise and to eat well.”
Parker encouraged area residents to come and try out the fit camp.
“You never know, you might like it,” she said. “You do it at your own pace.”
Angel N. Ross-Taylor is a correspondent for Richland Source. Follow her for local news updates @angelnichole222
