The Mirror Newspapers Reflecting Life Along The Maumee River
BY KAREN GERHARDINGER | MIRROR REPORTER — To get himself fit for freshman year soccer, Jayden Flagg got out of bed early twice a week to work on core strength, muscle tone and running stamina at Julie’s Fitness Studio. “My school has a soccer fitness goal that is required to be met to play for the team,” Jayden said. “The summer youth program at Julie’s, along with my soccer conditioning, made it very easy for me to meet the goal on the first attempt.” Held from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 6-July 27, the 2017 Summer Kids Athletic Training Program is open to boys and girls in grades 5-12, said studio owner Julie Westenfelder. “This is for kids who are getting ready for soccer tryouts, or those who just want to get some exercise – not sitting around on their phone,” Westenfelder said. “It’s for all abilities, even those who are not in a sport.” The first half-hour focuses on running speed, endurance and hill work, followed by an hour of working in the studio on plyometrics, core strength and all-over body training. “The program was not too hard, but still enough to improve my endurance and strength. My favorite part was the variety of activities and games we did each day,” Jayden said. “Although the program was in the morning and I didn’t always want to wake up and work out, it always made me feel great when it was over.” The cost is $120 for the 10-week session. The Kids Athletic Training Program is one of several specials planned this summer, in addition to the fitness classes and one-on-one instruction that Julie’s Fitness Studio regularly offers. Walking toddlers through age 4 can spend quality time with mom getting some exercise and having fun with Mommy & Me, a professionally structured exercise program using movement and music for moms and children. The program will run from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Mondays, June 5-26. Westenfelder, who taught preschool for six years, will utilize a colorful obstacle course and focus on gross motor skills. “I understand what it takes to engage children and make learning fun,” she said. The class is $10.00 per week. Julie’s Fitness Studio is partnering with the Anthony Wayne Regional Chamber of Commerce to offer a 1K and 5K race on Saturday, June 10 in Whitehouse. The course winds through the Blue Creek Conservation Area, past some farm country and finishes in downtown Whitehouse. Awards will be given to overall and overall master (40 and older), overall grand master (50 and older) male and female in the 5K. Preregistered participants will receive a T-shirt and 1K finishers will receive a gift. The 1K begins at 8:30 a.m. and the 5K at 9:00 a.m. To register, visit www.davesraces.com through Monday, June 5 or e-mail juliesfitstudio@gmail.com. Last year’s race brought in 150 racers, raising proceeds for Nature’s Nursery, a Whitehouse wildlife rehabilitation facility. Westenfelder, a lifelong Anthony Wayne-area resident, opened Julie’s Fitness Studio in July 2014, but has taught group exercise classes since 2005 and has been a personal trainer since 2010. It was a 2009 breast cancer diagnosis that changed her life and motivated her to help others just as the nurses and surgeons helped her through recovering. Several area instructors assist Julie in providing a full course load of class offerings, including spin, yoga, body sculpting, cardio drumming and SilverSneakers, to name a few. For information on classes and summer specials, go to www.juliesfitstudio.com or call (419) 350-7426. The studio is located at 6763 Providence St. in Whitehouse.
