MANSFIELD, Ohio —Ten local gyms and fitness centers have joined forces to offer free fitness classes to residents Sunday, July 12 through Saturday, July 18. Richland Public Health (RPH) is sponsoring the week-long event using funds from the Communities Preventing Chronic Disease grant.
The grant, awarded by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), was given to communities in Ohio to fund activities that curb the affects of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and hypertension.
RPH Health Educator Paige Warga said there will be something for everyone.
“There’s everything from salsa dancing and line dancing, to kettle ball and boot camp. Literally every interest level has to be included in there,” said Warga.
She said some of the more popular fitness programs like Zumba and Yoga will be offered as well, including Barre — a popular workout that incorporates ballet and other rhythmic dance movements.
Other classes include aqua aerobics, Pilates, cross training, and Tabata — a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) that lasts four minutes.
Warga emphasized the inclusion of all fitness levels — from beginner to expert. “All the instructors I’ve worked with are great and they’re really willing to work with anybody of any fitness level,” she said.
RPH Health Educator Margaret Lin said Richland Fit Community is just a kickoff for the rest of the year.
“We plan to have some other free fitness opportunities throughout the year,” said Lin. She also said RPH hopes this weeklong event encourages area gyms and fitness centers to open their doors to the community for additional free classes.
“It’s just for people to try some new things out,” added Lin.
“This (Richland Fit Community) is for anybody who might think they don’t belong to a gym. Because it’s intimidating … everybody has to start somewhere,” said Warga. “LeBron (James) wasn’t born as a basketball star. He had to start in the gym, shooting hoops, lifting weights. So everybody has to start at that point.”
“Not that everybody will be Lebron, unfortunately,” Warga added with a laugh.
For the event finale, RPH has partnered with Dynamic Performance Fitness to host Pump in the Park at the Bellville Bandstand Park on July 18 at 8 a.m. Pump in the Park is a circuit style class for all fitness levels involving a variety of activities geared towards increasing endurance, power, strength, stamina, flexibility, and speed, giving you a great total body workout.
The completed schedule for the week can be found on RPH’s website and Facebook page. Each class will be hosted at the respective gym — not at RPH’s building. For additional information, call 419-774-4500.
For those individuals who get involved in a free class during Richland Fit Community, prizes and discounts will be available.
