Washington County Enterprise-Leader
New Fitness Center Popular With Children
LINCOLN — A new stateof-the-art fitness center at Lincoln Middle School is being used by students and the public and is a great asset to the community, said Stan Karber, assistant principal.
Lincoln received a $ 100,000 Live Positively fitness center through a grant from the National Foundation for Governors’ Fitness Councils. Arkansas was one of only four states selected to receive three fitness centers in 2015.
The center has 46 pieces of equipment from Tuff Stuff Fitness International and initially was installed in October 2015, on a padded surface in the middle school’s P.E. gym.
The school later realized the gym would be needed for PeeWee basketball and moved the fitness center it to its own space that has turned out much better for everyone, said Tim Rich, Lincoln basketball coach and middle school P. E. teacher.
“It gives us a controlled environment,” Rich said.
The room was primarily used for storage.
It was cleaned out and the cheerleaders painted the room, giving it a colorful look.
Physical education students, athletics and students in resource classes are using the fitness center during the school day.
It also is being used for physical therapy.
Rich said his students are able to work out and have fun at the same time. It’s a chance to get fit while talking and laughing with their friends, he added.
They are being introduced to these machines and learning the proper form on the machines, he said.
Seventh- graders were using the equipment last week and they said they enjoy their time in the fitness center.
Jodee Stout, looking sheepishly at Rich, said she prefers the fitness center to P.E. in the gym.
“In here you get to choose what you want to do and at what level,” Jodee said.
David Yiamkis plays seventh-grade football and he uses the equipment to get in better shape and to help him in football.
“This is definitely an asset to Lincoln Middle Schoo l ,” R ich sa id . “Students can work on all muscle groups and it’s a lot safer. It’s an asset to the community and the school.”
The fitness center is open to the community from 5-7 a. m. Monday- Friday and 5-7 p. m. Monday-Thursday. The center is free for school and city employees. The monthly fee is $20 for others in the community.
Karber said about 10 people show up in the morning and 10 in the afternoon.
“We’re fortunate to have it,” Karber said.