Beginning February 10th, the public will once again be able to work out at many top studios and gyms in the Beach Cities (without having to sweat the cost!) thanks to BCHD’s annual “Free Fitness Weekends” initiative. The kick-off is slated for February 10–12 at studios in Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach.
More than 25 gyms and fitness studios have already joined the community health initiative, which asks each business to provide at least one free workout class per month. Offerings range from standard favorites like Pilates and yoga to more adventurous options like standup paddle boarding and trampolining. Children’s classes are also included on the schedule, which is posted at bchd.org/freefitness.
According to BCHD CEO Tom Bakaly, the goal of the community-focused initiative is to get more people exercising by removing barriers like cost and highlighting opportunities to #SweatLocal.
“It’s well-known that physical activity is one of the keys to leading a healthy life, but alarmingly only one in three adults and one in four children currently get the recommended daily amount,” said Bakaly. “We created Free Fitness Weekends to help make fitness more accessible and to hopefully connect people with workout opportunities they enjoy and want to stick with long-term. So far the response from residents has been overwhelmingly positive, and we want to especially thank the studios that have stepped up to support community health.”
One such local business is Poise Fitness in Hermosa Beach. The popular studio is owned by Justin Roth, who was one of the first to join the initiative two years ago.
“I decided to become a Free Fitness Weekends partner to give back to my community,” said Roth. “And what better way to give back than by helping introduce people to health and fitness in a fun, exciting atmosphere? This is a great opportunity to make fitness more accessible while also showcasing the dynamic classes Poise has to offer. It’s a win-win.”
Free Fitness Weekends will take place February 10–12, March 10–12 and April 7–9. There is no cost to participate, however, registration for certain classes is required. To see the complete schedule, including class times, dates and descriptions, visit bchd.org/freefitness.
