Fitness World Health Club & Sports Complex continues to expand its offerings to the community.
By Ben Cox
Photos/Submitted to The Source
The complex, located at 1521 West Walnut St. in Jacksonville, has had a busy summer going through renovations of its pool facility. In the meantime, instructors at the complex have been working on ideas to bring more sectors of the population into the realm of fitness.
“A little over a month ago, we pitched the idea of starting a weekly fitness program for adults with special needs and disabilities. Honestly, we were hoping for 5-10 participants,” writes Fitness World sports/marketing director Ryne Turke in a social media post on the complex’s Facebook page, “This new program has absolutely exploded. We’re seeing 40-50 people a week in class, with new faces popping in every Tuesday at 11 a.m.”
Turke says that the program has offered a wide variety of activities to participants who have joined the classes. So far, the program has offered workouts with weights, drumsticks, the TRX suspension trainer, the bench press and walking.
Turke says they are planning more variety as the program continues to evolve and grow. The hope is to connect with the Special Olympics to bring even more offerings and opportunities.
The participants aren’t the only ones feeling the benefit from the new program. “This group has become the best part of my week,” Turke emphasizes, “Every person who walks in knows my name, asks how my day is going, and can’t wait to see what we have planned next.”
Turke says the program’s success can be attributed to cooperation of several local partners including Pathway Services and Elm City Center. Turke’s signature enthusiasm capped the announcement of the program, saying that more good things in relation to the program are to come.
For more information, visit Fitness World at fitnessworldhc.com, email fitnessworldsportscomplex@gmail.com or call 217-243-5858.
