Fitness classes begin this month
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on April 15, 2015 1:46 PM
The Salvation Army is known for helping out during disasters, with every day emergency needs and giving spiritual support. Now it's tackling the physical aspect with a new fitness class.
The class will tentatively start April 21 and will be held each Tuesday and Thursday of the week. There will be two classes each day, one during lunchtime and another starting at 4:30 p.m. In the future, a Saturday class might also be added.
The class is possible because a local resident donated 10 pieces of workout equipment.
"It will be a 30-minute circuit workout," said Capt. Julie Igleheart with the Salvation Army. "You'll do 10 machines that work the upper and lower body. You do 30 seconds on a machine then change to cardio like jumping jacks, running in place or jumping rope for 30 seconds, then go onto the next machine."
And anyone with a physical limitation can modify the exercises.
Participants can also try out the class before deciding to do it permanently.
"You don't have to sign a contract," Mrs. Igleheart said.
"But if you like it and keep coming, but miss a couple of days, I will call you to encourage you to keep coming."
Mrs. Igleheart said people have been asking the Salvation Army to do a fitness class, saying other classes cost too much or there's an age requirement that they don't meet.
The Salvation Army's fitness class will be free to anyone 18 and older, men and women.
Anyone can participate, which means they are not required to have received services from the organization to attend.
And the class won't just be exercising; there will be healthy snacks and drinks participants can try, along with recipes to take home.
"They won't come in and just exercise and leave," Mrs. Igleheart said.
"We want them to know there are several different steps that they need to take to have a healthier lifestyle. And we'll probably do a small devotional with them too."
The organization is planning to invite local fitness instructors from time to time to hold classes on yoga, kickboxing and other things. That's in the planning stages right now.
"God has really laid it on our hearts to use the class to help others change in Goldsboro," Mrs. Igleheart said.
"I've been through this journey, and I know how hard it is. God didn't take me through this journey just for me." Mrs. Igleheart said getting healthy is not a sprint; it's a marathon.
For more information about the fitness class, call the Salvation Army at 919735-4811.