FALL RIVER — Shedding pounds is a worthy goal, but don’t forget overall well-being.
That’s the theme of this year’s Greater Fall River Fitness Challenge. Now in its 12th year, the challenge brings together a variety of workouts, nutrition classes, and now good mental health.
Look for yoga, meditation, and stress busting sessions during this year’s challenge.
Annemarie Holly, challenge coordinator and Greater Fall River Re-Creation program manager, said the goal is to treat the whole person and that includes their mental health.
“We don’t think it’s talked about enough,” Holly said.
As a member of the new Mental Wellness Committee, formed by a group of local agencies, Holly and members are looking for ways to help the community combat stress, anxiety, and depression before it develops into a mental health crisis.
Several sessions will be given by Bay Cove Human Services, the agency that runs Fall River Emergency Services, a mental health crisis intervention at Corrigan Mental Health Center.
The Greater Fall River Fitness Challenge will kick-off on Saturday, Jan. 12, from 10 a.m. to noon at Kuss Middle School, 52 Globe St. The cost to join the challenge is $10. Participants can sign-up that day, or at Re-Creation, 45 Rock St., during Wednesday/ Saturday challenges or during normal hours until Jan. 31.
The challenge — open to those who live or work in Fall River, Somerset, Swansea or Wesport — runs until April 11. Some 500 people join each year, and may sign-up as individuals or part of a team.
The challenge will feature a “biggest loser” style competition based on the largest percentage of body fat lost between the initial and final weigh-in. Cash prizes of $750, $400 and $300 will be awarded to the biggest losers at the end of the competition.
The challenge will include free work-outs each Wednesday and Saturday, Saturday morning talks, plus low-cost work-outs at local gyms.
Free weekly workouts — held at Kuss Middle School, 52 Globe Mills Ave., Fall River — are as follows:
Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 Tabi’s Transformations
Jan. 23 CAT Studio
Jan 30 SALT
Feb. 6 Burn Bootcamp
Feb. 13 Tabi’s Transformations
Feb. 20 CAT Studio
Feb. 27 Fall River YMCA
March 6 Burn Bootcamp
March 13 Tabi’s Transformations
March 20 Fall River YMCA
March 27 CAT Studio
April 3 Tabi’s Transformations
Saturdays at 9 a.m.
Jan. 19 Fitness Fusion
Jan. 26 Swansea Total Fitness
Feb. 2 Fall River YMCA
Feb. 9 Davol Grooves
Feb. 16 Fitness Fusion
Feb. 23 Swansea Total Fitness
March 2 SALT
March 9 Davol Grooves
March 16 Fitness Fusion
March 23 Swansea Total Fitness
March 30 SALT
April 6 Fitness Fusion
Drop-in workouts at local gym locations and pricing is as follows:
Fall River YMCA, 199 N. Main St.; $5 drop-in class
Swansea YMCA, 271 Sharps Lot Road, $5 drop-in class
Fitness Fusion, a program of Re-Creation, 45 Rock St., $5 drop-in class
Swansea Total Fitness, 207 Swansea Mall Dr., $5 drop-in class
Burn Boot Camp, 101 President Ave., Fall River, $10 drop-in class
Davol Grooves, 1082 Davol St., Fall River, $5 drop-in class
SALT, 262 Swansea Mall Dr., Swansea, $5 drop-in, plus other discounted options
CAT Studio, 544 Milford Road, Swansea, one complimentary session, plus other discounted options
Tabi’s Transformations, personal trainer, 50 percent off training/ nutrition packages.
Saturday morning talks – in nutrition, stress reduction, and other health related topics -- are at Kuss Middle School, 52 Globe Mills Ave., Fall River at 10 a.m. as follows:
Jan. 19 Bay Cove
Jan. 26 CAT Studio
Feb. 2 Davol Grooves
Feb. 9 Bay Cove
Feb 16 CAT Studio
Feb. 23 Tabi’s Transformations
March 2 Davol Grooves
March 9 Bay Cove
March 16 Tabi’s Transformations
March 23 Davol Grooves
March 30 CAT Studio
April 6 Bay Cove
Follow the Greater Fall River Fitness Challenge on Facebook, or contact RE-Creation at 45 Rock St. or 508-679-0922.
Email Deborah Allard at dallard@heraldnews.com