24 Hour Fitness has teamed up with HealthCorps®, a proactive health movement with an in-school educational and mentoring program in 11 states, to pilot a program at two California high schools to give students the opportunity to train with personal trainers on campus.
Students at Luther Burbank High School and Sacramento Charter High School have been meeting with personal trainers from 24 Hour Fitness since February of this year. These students meet with the trainers either during the school day or after school, depending on the school and situation.
“This has been a great experience,” said Randy Drake, the senior vice president of fitness and business development for 24 Hour Fitness. “We’re always looking to connect our clubs to local communities. This has been simple to execute and has a high perceived value to the community.”
The partnership was spawned when Chris Davis, the chairman of 24 Hour Fitness’ board ran into Dr. Mehmet Oz, the co-founder of HealthCorps® with his wife Lisa, and the idea went from there.
About 40 to 50 students, plus some teachers, participate weekly at each school. There has been no shortage of trainers wanting to volunteer as well. Trainers lead the students in Group X and boot camp like exercises. At Luther Burbank, the whole football team has participated.
Additionally, 24 Hour Fitness has given about 100, free, six-month memberships to participating students at the two high schools.
“Hopefully more opportunities will be available [in the future],” said Drake. “We like to get involved with the community, get outside of the four walls of the club. This has been a positive participation for us.”
