SAN ANTONIO — In less than four months, Gabrielle Gullette[1] lost nearly 25 pounds, which she credits to her use of the city's free exercise programs. Officials say the programs are growing as its participants' waistlines are shrinking.
Gullette said her employer, CFS Forming Structures, started a fitness awareness campaign for employees and inspired her and “workout buddy” Cindy Arce[2] , to join around Labor Day. The two came across the city's Fitness in the Park program while on a run in a public park.
She said they saw such positive results after taking the city's classes with trainer Michael Jones[3] , they now travel around the city to attend his sessions on circuit training and intensive exercise at local parks. Gullette attends about five 30-minute classes over three days every week.
“I think more people need to know about what the city offers,” Gullette said. “I had no idea what my options were.”
Fitness in the Park is one of the city's fastest-growing fitness programs. Michael Baldwin[4] , an assistant Parks and Recreation manager with the city, said that the program alone has grown from about 4,000 participants in 2012 to more than 23,000 people last year.
The city's Parks and Recreation Department[5] oversees nearly a dozen different programs targeting various groups of people in the community, hoping to get the word out as San Antonians start to make good on New Year's resolutions of getting in better shape.
“In the past eight years, I've seen a culture shift in San Antonio that I think comes after people acknowledging the label historically as one of the unhealthiest cities in the country,” Baldwin said. “People are becoming more educated on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and I credit part of that to our leadership in the city.”
Many of the programs that the Parks and Recreation Department offer were prompted by goals set in the city's SA 2020 plan and by Mayor Julián Castro[6] 's Fitness Council[7] . The free or low-cost programs are in every part of the city — making it hard for citizens to find an excuse not to exercise.
Baldwin said he knows that some folks prefer incentives to get motivated in sticking with a fitness plan, or trying to figure out which kind of workout is best for them.
So the city launched the Fit Pass SA Program, which offers residents a printed passport to free and low cost wellness opportunities that they attend in a scavenger hunt. Participants earn points at Fit Pass SA events and can win prizes upon completion. Passports and information about events can be found at www.fitcitysa.com.[8] The latest competition wraps up at the end of February.
Residents who hope to join a low-cost gym can sign up at the Enrique Barrera Community Center[9] , at 5800 Old Hwy. 90 W. It features an aerobic room and a fitness center with equipment. The membership fee for residents ages 18-59 years is $120 annually, or $10 a month. Seniors ages 60 and up pay $25 once a year; and youths 12-17 pay $30 annually. For more information, call (210) 207-3221.
For those who prefer an indoor aquatic option, the San Antonio Natatorium, at 1430 W. Cesar Chavez[10] , is open Monday through Saturday. Water aerobics are offered Monday through Thursday for $30 a month. For more information, contact (210) 207-3299.
San Antonians who'd rather not join a gym, or are on a tight budget, have a range of options: from using exercise equipment stations in public parks to hitting one of the city's trails. Baldwin said, however, to be prepared that the demand has grown during peak times at places such as the Valero Park Trail Head near Loop 1604 and Interstate 10.
More than 30 local parks feature outdoor fitness stations, offering sturdy equipment that allows people to combine a cardio workout on the trails with a total body workout on the equipment. For the complete list, visit www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/fitness_stations.aspx.[11]
Cycling, running and walking are options along the 45-mile Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System[12] , a network of multi-use hike and bike trails that wind through natural landscapes along San Antonio creeks.
For those wanting less structure, more than 200 City of San Antonio parks offer some form of outdoor recreation opportunity, Baldwin said. Many feature walking and hiking trails, playgrounds, multi-use fields, basketball and tennis courts, outdoor swimming pools, dog parks, skate parks, picnic units and pavilions.
Fitness in the Park is open to all fitness levels year-round with no prior registration required. Classes range from Zumba, walking and running groups, boot camps, and this year, line dancing — all taught by professional instructors such as Jones.
Jones also is part of the city's Troops for Fitness initiative, a grant-funded effort the city launched with Coca-Cola to hire skilled military veterans to lead fitness classes. But don't think his boot camp looks like one portrayed in movies of aggressive military instructors.
“I don't do yelling. It's more about mentoring and pushing those who show up at any moment, in how to help them exercise properly,” said Jones, who served in the U.S. Army[13] for 21 years. “We are open to all.”
Gullette interjected, enthusiastically: “It works! I went from a size 14 to a size 8 because of his help.”
fvara-orta@express-news.net
Twitter: @fvaraorta
References
- ^ Gabrielle Gullette (www.mysanantonio.com)
- ^ Cindy Arce (www.mysanantonio.com)
- ^ Michael Jones (www.mysanantonio.com)
- ^ Michael Baldwin (www.mysanantonio.com)
- ^ Parks and Recreation Department (www.mysanantonio.com)
- ^ Julián Castro (www.mysanantonio.com)
- ^ Fitness Council (www.mysanantonio.com)
- ^ www.fitcitysa.com. (www.fitcitysa.com.)
- ^ Enrique Barrera Community Center (www.mysanantonio.com)
- ^ 1430 W. Cesar Chavez (www.mysanantonio.com)
- ^ www.sanantonio.gov/parksandrec/fitness_stations.aspx. (www.sanantonio.gov)
- ^ Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System (www.mysanantonio.com)
- ^ U.S. Army (www.mysanantonio.com)
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