HIGHLAND PARK – The Recreation Center of Highland Park will host a community event in celebration of their 10 year anniversary on Sunday, January 10, 2016. The event will include free activities for Highland Park residents and their families.
“Our anniversary was in October, but we decided to celebrate 10 months for 10 years,” said Debbie Pierce, facility supervisor. This means that the Recreation Center will have special activities on the 10th day of each month. It will be on a much smaller scale than the January inaugural event, but each month will feature a special bonus. Check pdhp.org for updates.
The Recreation Center has made significant advances since it began in 2005. “Our membership has increased, and there’s been a lot of revitalization from the exercise program, which includes over 100 group exercise classes,” said Mitch Carr, general manager since 2013
“We built a schedule specifically for the older population called Fit For Life due to the increase in utilization by our seniors,” said Carr. “Our 11 a.m. time slot for the Light ‘n Lively class (a mix of cardio, stretching and toning) caters more toward active seniors. It follows at noon with Chair Yoga (enhances strength, balance and flexibility). There are aqua classes too.”
The Recreation Center also offers programs for teens and tweens. “A lot of kids come through the facility for practices, but don’t take part in the activities,” said Carr. They don’t know that fitness is a healthy way to hang out with a group of friends at an early age.”
The Recreation Center is offering individual memberships in April for teens and tweens ages 10 -15. The 8-week membership will include personal training, and introduction to fitness. The spring promotion will also include after school classes like Teen Cross Training and TRX Weight Suspension Training, said Carr.
“Born in the Navy SEALs, Suspension Training bodyweight exercise develops strength, balance, flexibility and core stability simultaneously,” according to trxtraining.com. “It requires the use of the TRX Suspension Trainer, a highly portable performance training tool that leverages gravity and the user’s body weight to complete 100s of exercises.”
“There will also be a similar Body Transformation Challenge for that group in the spring,” he added. “We wanted to break the groups up, because there have been about 150 people that just try the facility for the challenge.
Updating their state- of- the-art equipment has always been a priority. “Every year we invest in new fitness equipment, and our latest is the new Precor EFX Elliptical Fitness Cross Trainer with multimedia,” said Carr. “The new thing is capability TV’s with touch screens. Now that we’re open 10 years most of our equipment has been cycled through.”
With more than 3,000 members, Carr is grateful to have such a loyal and dedicated staff. “Personal trainers Justin Hanlin and Kris Citron have been there since the beginning,” he said. “Debbie Pierce, facility supervisor, is also in her 11th year at The Recreation Center.”
Pierce provided the following list of activities for the 10th Anniversary Celebration on Sunday, January 10, 2016 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.:
Healthy Family Fun & Body Transformation Kick-off
▪10- minute Complimentary Chair Massages from Therapeutic Kneads
▪ 8 to 9 a.m. Zumba Class
▪ 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Total Body Conditioning
▪10:45 a.m. to 12 p.m. 20-minute Demo Classes — yoga, spin, and cardio- strength
▪ Ninja Warrior Course (150 lb weight limit)
▪ Open gym with Family Games that will include: Dodgeball, Capture the flag, and Basketball.
▪ The Body Transformation Challenge begins on January 11, but a registration table will be set up at the event. It’s a six-week membership program where participants will work closely with a nutritionist and a personal trainer.
▪ Screenings will be provided by Highland Park Hospital to check blood pressure,glucose and body fat.
Fruit, yogurt, power bars, coffee, orange juice and water will be served.
The event is free to Highland Park residents and $5/class for non-residents.
For more information visit pdhp.org.
