Community Corner

Fitness Class Gets Kids Active, Raises Money for Firehouse

The classes were run by Lynbrook resident Kristie Lengel of L.E.A.R.N. fitness.

 

Kids and parents not only got off the couch and into shape Thursday night but helped out a local firehouse at “Medicine Ball Madness,” held at Vulcan Chemical and Hose Company 422.

The class, the fourth and final in the series, was run by Lynbrook resident Kristie Lengel, who owns and operates L.E.A.R.N. fitness in Baldwin, and Patrick Maguire, her business partner, trainer and boyfriend.

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Their mission is to “create overall wellness in people's everyday lives,” and they focus on keeping kids active and healthy.

“Today’s obesity rate is high, especially in children,” said Lengel, who trains seven-year-old's to adults.

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L.E.A.R.N. is going slowly but surely. The gym, located on Merrick Road in Baldwin, opened in October and the kids program is growing fast. They also have some Pediatricians on board helping with kids, Lengel said.

Part of the proceeds of the classes held at Vulcan were donated to the fire house, where Lengel’s father Carl is a 35-year member and current captain. The fire house is "definitely a family firehouse," with many third and fourth generation members, Lengel said.

This was the final fitness event at Vulcan. Yoga Night, Family Fitness Night and Zumba Night were held the last three Thursday nights.

“It’s been hard for them to raise funds,” Lengel said of the firehouse. “The company has had a lot less activity going on lately and someone had an idea to get the families together during the winter.”

Although at least a dozen people came out for Thursday’s event, Lengel said some of the other night’s were not so well attended.

“We had some trouble getting people down here, especially for the yoga class since it wasn’t really for the little ones, but if people are interested in doing it again, we’ll do it,” she said.

Lengel added that one of her main goals is to just keep kids active and healthy.

“For kids, it's important to just keep moving," Lengel said. "A lot of times maybe parents are working extra jobs, so they are alone and watching TV, playing video games, so it’s hard for them to be active."

For more information on L.E.A.R.N., visit their website and Facebook page.


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