A positive sign for the exercise-minded: Fitness in the Parks resumes outdoors
Fitness in the Parks’ free, in-person classes will resume starting today at nine locations, including Wilkeson Pointe on Buffalo’s Outer Harbor. The novel coronavirus pandemic postponed the annual outdoor group fitness series and drove it online in the spring.
Robert Kirkham/Buffalo News
Fitness centers in New York State remain closed during the continuing novel coronavirus pandemic but here’s a sign that the relatively low transmission rate has benefits for the exercise-minded.
Fitness in the Parks, which has taken place online only in recent weeks, will offer nine in-person classes at parks across the region starting this week.
Independent Health and YMCA Buffalo Niagara launched the seasonal series of outdoor group fitness classes in 2012.
The health insurer and regional Y hoped to start its ninth season in more than 20 parks but postponed those plans because of the pandemic.
A more limited schedule of classes that runs into early September resumes at 5:30 p.m. Monday, weather permitting, with a Fusion bootcamp-style class in Day Road Park in the Town of Lockport.
Yoga classes will be offered Tuesday evenings at Wilkeson Pointe on the Outer Harbor, Core and More Wednesdays at RiverWorks, and Zumba on Thursdays at Stadium West Park in Jamestown.
Sunset yoga will start at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Krull Park in Olcott, Pilates Friday morning in Veterans Memorial Park in Jamestown and Zumba early Friday evening in Allen Park in Jamestown.
Kickboxing will take place at 5:30 p.m. Fridays and Cardio Dance at 10 a.m. Saturdays in Larkin Square.
See a complete schedule at independenthealth.com/fitpark.
The YMCA and Independent Health also will continue to offer five online workouts from that link.
“Now you can safely get fit outdoors or virtually from home with Fitness in the Parks,” said Michelle Carbery, senior corporate wellness specialist at Independent Health. “No registration required, and all classes are free. Simply join us at the outdoor classes or online at the scheduled times.”
Outdoor classes are first-come, first-served and limited to 30 participants. Facial coverings are required before and after class. Social distancing of at least 6 feet is required. Participants should bring water, mats and other equipment as needed.
Fitness at Canalside, the region’s other popular outdoor fitness program, continues to operate virtually and features some of the top studio trainers in Western New York leading nine weekly and three special classes, including yoga, Zumba, high-intensity interval training, kickboxing, Kids Get Moving and La’Movement dance fitness.
See the online schedule at bcbswny.com/play.
Sponsor BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York is evaluating plans to safely return to in-person group classes in a limited capacity sometime in August, company spokeswoman Amber Hartmann said Monday.
email: sscanlon@buffnews.com
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