Recreation department helps residents love their hearts
Do you think heart disease only happens to older adults? Think again. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States and can happen at any age.
Another startling statistic? One in five adults meets the physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes per week of moderate to intense activity to be heart healthy.
February — national Heart Health Month — is the perfect to time to give your heart a little love by assessing your heart health and reducing your risk factors. One way to begin is to just get moving!
“We play an important role in our community’s collective health by providing access to fitness facilities and programs,” said Mary Beth O’Dell, director of the Kettering Parks, Recreation & Cultural Arts Department. “As inactivity and obesity rates remain high throughout the region, our staff are always looking for ways to help people meet their wellness goals.”
One of the most successful solutions offered by the department are their two fitness facilities. With more than 5,600 annual members, it’s obvious both the Kettering Recreation Complex and Kettering Fitness & Wellness Center have found their niche within the fitness landscape.
“Each of our fitness facilities has a devoted community of patrons,” said Lindsey Curry, fitness and wellness supervisor for the department. “It is great to see the camaraderie, friendship, and support our guests offer each other. That sense of community is critical to keeping our members engaged and active.”
Staying current with industry trends is also part of keeping people coming back for more.
“The people who use our facilities are very aware of new types of fitness activities and trends,” said Curry. “It’s common for us to receive suggestions for certain types of equipment or classes. We love that guests encourage us to expand what we offer.”
The fitness wing and group exercise studios at the Kettering Recreation Complex offer more than 40 pieces of cardiovascular and strength training equipment, 85 group exercise classes per week, 24 weekly water-based group exercise classes and access to the 1/12th-mile indoor track.
Although smaller in size, the Kettering Fitness & Wellness Center (connected to the James Trent Arena at Fairmont High School) also provides a wide variety of cardiovascular and strength training equipment, drop-in cycling classes and access to the 1/8th-mile indoor track located in the arena.
Both fitness centers provide various wellness screenings, education opportunities and assessment services.
“We want people to feel comfortable and confident in our facilities and classes,” explained Curry. “If it’s your first time walking into a gym, it can be intimidating. We try to alleviate those jitters and help our guests feel confident and successful. I know firsttime visitors will feel welcomed by our staff and other guests.”
For more information about the Kettering Fitness & Wellness Center, call 293-4348. For information about the Kettering Recreation Complex, call 296-2587.
For a comprehensive list of fitness passes and classes visit playkettering.org.