Adapted fitness classes going well
Legacy Wrestling and Fitness in Butler hosted an open house Wednesday, Dec. 13, where people who participated in the nonprofit’s adapted fitness programs could meet one another and try new activities in the gym.
The weekly adapted fitness program, created to help people with disabilities get exercise, started at the beginning of October, but Katie Werner, operator and certified personal trainer at Legacy, said it quickly grew to take place two days a week.
Many people at the open house Wednesday were clients of the ARC of Butler County along with their parents and caretakers. Rick Dowd, vocational director at the ARC, said adapted fitness sessions help individuals with disabilities in more ways than one.
“It helps build social skills, personal skills, endurance and stamina, and it gets them out into the world,” Dowd said. “It builds independence, and it builds confidence.”
Werner said the adapted fitness classes take place Tuesday nights and Wednesday mornings, and she typically leads participants in exercises that make them feel as if they are not even doing a workout.
Katie Dunlap, community participation program specialist at the ARC, said she plans to start bringing clients to the adapted fitness classes in January.
“They don’t get these opportunities all the time,” Dunlap said. “It’s definitely something that is needed in the area.”
Kelly Aires brings her daughter, Arianna, to Legacy for the adapted fitness classes two days a week from their home in Kittanning. Arianna said trying the obstacle courses at the fitness classes is her favorite activity, and Kelly said the classes have helped Arianna to build strength based on her own abilities.
“It’s good for her to build up her strength and make new friends,” Aires said. “This is so needed; there isn’t anything like this in Armstrong she can do.”
Werner said the adapted fitness classes will continue in January, and people interested in signing up can contact Legacy at legacyfitnessbutler@gmail.com, or call 724-991-7299.
