(Seguin) – If you are going to get fit and stay fit, then you might as well do it as a community. Today marks the start of the free Fitness in the Park event.
Fitness Instructor Kelly Smith says she has joined forces with the Seguin Parks and Recreation Department to offer the free group fitness to the community. She says the event will be held weekly under the big pavilion at Max Starcke Park East.
“It will be every Thursday starting today at 6 p.m. and then we’ll go until Nov. 17 which is the Thursday before Thanksgiving. So, every Thursday evening. This will be our fall schedule and as far as the format, the first part will be more Zumba type fitness. So, there will be dance choreographed fitness movements and then I’ll incorporate some strength training in there as well,” said Smith.
By offering the free fitness class at the park, Smith is hoping that it will get rid of any and all obstacles that folks might have when it comes to making time to exercise. Plus, she says it’s designed for all fitness levels.
“Everyone is welcome. I believe everyone will be able to participate. I have been a fitness instructor for a long time, so I’ll be able to show different options. I’ll probably be taking some of those options myself and I’m sure there will be people there that are brand new to fitness and this is the first time they have tied up their shoe laces and tried something or if this is going to be something new as far as what kind of fitness format we are doing and then there will be people that used to go to my studio and they have lots of experience or they have been participating in different fitness experiences through the years. So, we are going to have a wide range of people out there, but I’ll be sure to make sure that everybody is good hands. if anyone feels like they need to take a break, we have picnic benches out there. They can march in place, or they can sit down if they need to,” said Smith.
Smith, who used to host a similar program in the park years ago, says after the challenges of the last couple of years, she and the city felt residents were deserving of this latest effort to get folks moving.
“If anybody has ever been to my class before, they will tell you that everyone feels welcome and it’s a no judgement, super non intimidating space that people just go out and be themselves. Any movement is better than no movement,” said Smith.
The class will be held today at the park from 6 to 7 p.m. Smith encourages participants to wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes. They are also encouraged to bring along a water bottle, towel and yoga or fitness mat. Special door prizes, courtesy of the city of Seguin, will also be given away during each class. Those wishing to stay up to date with the fitness group are asked to join the Seguin Community Fitness Classes’ Facebook group or contact the park’s office at 830-401-2480.