The Union County Recreation Department provides a full calendar of FITNESS PROGRAMS for adults. The newest seasonal calendar of fitness programs can be found HERE.
About:
With programs like Aerobics and Zumba, the Union County Recreation Department offers fun classes that accommodate every level of fitness from beginner to advanced. The Union County Recreation Department Fitness Family is directed by Jennifer Becker, Program Director for Union County Recreation Department. Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health and Physical Education in 2007. She developed the Fitness Family program, beginning in March of 2017, and currently instructs Beginner Core/Pilates, Advanced Strength-Core, Ballroom and Latin Dance classes, Regular Aerobics, Step Aerobics Combo class, Mini-Spinning cardio, and Chair Fitness Aerobics. She is also responsible for the indoor-outdoor walking program and outdoor exercise classes.
A long time Veteran to the recreation department is Beth Schakat! Beth has instructed Zumba Fitness here for nearly 10 years! She currently instructs Zumba Fitness two nights a week for our Fitness Family, while also working full time in our community here. Her class will leave you glowing and exhausted! Beth also holds certification in small group instruction and personal training.
UCRD Dance Jams instructor for the Fitness Family is Rachel Helton. She joined the Fitness Family in March of 2019. She is certified in Zumba and Dance instruction. She is a very enthusiastic instructor, who brings a positive attitude to each and every class. She loves to dance, and it shows in every class she teaches for us!
Our newest instructor to our Fitness Family is Carol Davis! Carol instructs our popular Beginner Yoga Flow class. She comes to the Fitness Family after many successful years of instructing Silver Sneakers classes in various locations in Blairsville. Carol is a person who will definitely allow you to work at your pace, and have you very relaxed at the end of a class!
We also offer a Zumba Latin class in our Fitness Program part-time, instructed by Lisa Waldrop. If you like a little Latin music sass to your workout, you will appreciate this class. Be ready to sweat!
All instructors are required to maintain current CPR/First Aid/AED certification through the Red Cross.
What is aerobics?
Aerobics is a form of physical exercise that combines rhythmic aerobic exercise with stretching and strength training routines. The goal is to improve all elements of fitness, flexibility, muscular strength, and cardiovascular fitness. It is usually performed to music in a group setting and led by an instructor.
With the goal of preventing illness and promoting physical fitness, participants perform various routines comprising a number of different dance-like exercises. Formal aerobics classes are divided into different levels of intensity and complexity. Aerobics classes may allow participants to select their level of participation according to their fitness level.
Our Fitness Family Classes are designed for persons 50 years of age and up. Currently, we offer the following classes in our Fitness Family program:
Regular Aerobics- (Medium/High Impact) This is a low cost fitness class designed to increase cardiovascular health. Regular aerobics is a medium/high impact level exercise class impacting the heart and lungs. Instructor will take participants through a variety of exercises to upbeat music using hand weights (up to 3 pounds) for a portion of the workout, as well as exercises aimed to increase flexibility. Classes are two-three days a week for approximately one hour.
Step-Aerobics Combo- (Medium/High Impact) This is a low cost fitness class designed to maintain good cardiovascular endurance and respiratory health. Classes use a 4 or 6 inch portable platform designed for high impact fitness, while also taking the time to address upper body fitness. Music is upbeat and quick to get the heart rate to a person’s target zone. This class is not for beginners due to the intensity of the workouts! Classes last approximately one hour, and we offer this class in the AM or PM sessions for two-three days a week.
Chair-Aerobics- (Medium Impact) This is a low cost fitness class designed to begin increasing heart and lung health, as well as flexibility. This is a beginner class that performs exercise from a chair, fitness ball inside a stability core, resistance bands, and hand weights. Instructor will use fun music of different types for this class to help motivate participants to have fun while beginning to increase cardiovascular endurance, upper body strength and flexibility. Classes last approximately 45 minutes for two-three days a week in the afternoon.
Dance Jams- (High Impact) This is a low cost fitness class that is designed to increase cardiovascular endurance. If you were a fan of Jazzercise, then this class may be for you! This class is very similar to Jazzercise, but with a modern twist to it. Instructor uses a wide mix of modern music and past music choices to make this class a lot of fun. Classes last approximately 45 minutes to one hour, and this class is currently offered in the AM session for two days a week.
Beginner Core/Pilates class- This is currently one of our most popular classes. This low cost class is designed to slowly introduce the participant to exercises designed to increase muscular strength in the upper and lower body, increase flexibility, and work on balance. The class uses fitness balls that sit inside a stabilizer core, and the resistance bands attach to the sides, which are 25-30 pounds total. Class sizes are limited right now, and start up every 12 weeks. Classes are two days a week and last for approximately 45 minutes.
Advanced Strength/Core class- This low cost class is designed to help participants maintain muscular strength and flexibility in the upper and lower body. (You must complete at least one full 12 week session of beginner core before being allowed to enroll in the advanced class.) Participants continue to use the fitness ball with resistance bands in more advanced exercises and Pilates type exercises, adding in hand weights from 3-20 pounds per hand, as well as exercises off the ball using the fitness mat. Flexibility is increased in this class, which allows for better range of motion. Classes are currently three days a week for approximately 50 minutes. This class is very difficult, and not for beginners.
Yoga for Beginners- This class will be added to the Fitness Family beginning in the Fall 2019 Session. This low cost class is designed to help participants improve their overall health and relaxation by using techniques for breathing control, meditation techniques, and different positioning on the yoga mat. This class can also help with flexibility. Class size will be limited and will last for approximately 60 minutes one or two days a week.
Line Dance- This is a fun class that is a part of the Fitness Family for various sessions. This low cost class is designed for participants that enjoy dance choreographed in lines that use one wall, two wall, or four wall styles. Music is mostly country, but some line dances use modern music and instructor will also choreograph line dances that will be new for the participant to enjoy and learn. Classes will be two days a week for approximately one hour. (Note: This class is not offered every session.)
Zumba- (High impact) This class is designed for cardiovascular fitness, using mostly Modern and Latin American style of music. The instructor will take you through dances that will have you moving those hips and entire body, burn calories, learn coordination, and have fun while doing all these things! This class lasts approximately one hour and currently offered some sessions in the AM and all sessions in the PM two nights a week.
Mini-Spinning- (High impact) This class is designed for cardiovascular fitness and can also be modified for persons with prosthetic leg(s) or amputations. We use a mini-spinner machine that can be carried from room to room, and instructor will take a class through a 1 hour long mountain climber spin! This class also uses hand weights and pool half noodles. It is very reasonably priced for low budget, high impact workout!
Summer Water Aerobics- (Low-medium impact) This is a summer program that is offered at Meeks Park Pool. This class is designed as a fun workout in the water. This is generally easier on the joints and movement for individuals participating in this class. Classes may use the pool noodle, water weights and general movement in the water for these workouts. Classes are three mornings a week (M/W/F) during the summer (weather permitting). Two classes are offered, 9:30am-10:30am and 10:30am-11:30am. Drop in for a class or sign up by the month for a cost-effective workout.
Indoor/Outdoor Walking Program- If you thought walking was boring, think again! Walking with this program is fun, and allows the participant to meet other people and socialize while exercising at your own pace! This class is offered outdoors in the Spring and Fall and indoors for the late Fall and Winter months. Outdoor classes walk at Meeks Park trails two-three days a week, and indoor walking goes from November-March here at our gym. Indoor walking has you moving to fun music choices designed to increase your heart rate using different intervals for approximately one hour for three days a week. This is a free program that the Fitness Family offers!
Outdoor Exercise Program- This program is for the summer mornings. Participants go out to Meeks Park II and will learn how to properly utilize the fitness equipment there with instructor. Participants will learn how to develop good workout habits by meeting independently after the first few weeks with the group to work out on the equipment designed to work on cardio, upper and lower body. This program is free, and participants usually attend two-three mornings a week.
**You can check out some of the fitness classes in the video clips on our Facebook page.
The Fitness Family groups also meet once a session (12 weeks in each session) for a social event! This allows for our participants to socialize with other classes in a fun atmosphere filled with laughter, good home cooking, and music! This is part of what makes our Fitness Family unique and special. We have pictures of our past social events for you to check out as well.
For questions regarding the Fitness Family programs, please contact Union County Program Director, Jennifer, at 706-439-6074 or at 706-487-4453. Office hours are from 8-4:30 Monday-Friday, closed for lunch from 12-1.