Multiple fitness companies in Boston, including Boston Sports Clubs, have banded together with the Boston Public Health Commission to offer Boston residents free outdoor fitness classes this summer as part of the “Fitness in the City” program.
“Fitness in the City” has been part of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino’s April 2012 health initiative “Boston Moves for Health,” that’s sole purpose is to improve the health and fitness of Boston citizens. The initiative calls for the residents of the city to lose one million pounds and move one million miles as a collective.
Pounds and miles are tracked at http://www.bostonmovesforhealth.org/. So far, Boston residents have lost over 95,000 pounds and logged over 8 million miles. Fitness in the City, which attracted over 2,000 participants last year, kicked off again on June 28, 2013, to bolster the initiative.
This year, the free outdoor classes are being sponsored by Beantown Bootcamp, Boston Sports Club, Ultimate Bootcamp, various YMCAs and Z Spot Zumba.
“We have a lot of pride for Boston,” said John Wayman, the owner of Beantown Bootcamp. “’Fitness in the City’ is a great way to give back to the city and meet people who might need our help.”
Wayman explained that as a sponsor of “Fitness in the City,” he and his instructors provide class structure, any necessary equipment and motivate the upwards of 60 participants that attend each week. “We had 60 participants attend the first week, and recently had one class draw around 100 participants,” said Wayward.
According to Wayward, the partnership with the city has been a win-win situation. “The city does a great job of advertising ‘Fitness in the City,’” he said. “It’s a great relationship. It’s publicity for us, though our main reason for doing it is to give back.”
Wayward explained that though the free outdoor classes attract many new faces, members of Beantown Bootcamp are fans of the classes as well. “Our member enjoy it, the public enjoys it and I enjoy teaching it,” he said.
The full schedule of free, outdoor classes can be found at http://www.bostonmovesforhealth.org/Pages/BostonMovesforHealth.aspx.
By Rachel Zabonick
