Free fitness classes in Clinton Square in Syracuse include yoga, urban bootcamp
By Mary Beth Roach
Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse is well-known to Central New Yorkers as a festival venue or an ice skating rink.
However, since June 13 and through July 25, it is the site for Wellness Wednesdays, a series of various fitness programs offered morning, noon, and night. As the name indicates, the event takes place on Wednesdays.
Presented by Metro Fitness, which provides the instructors, the series features a Sunrise Yoga from 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., Yoga Flow from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., and Urban Bootcamp, from 5:30 to 6:15 p.m. All the classes are free and open to the public. No pre-registration is necessary.
“When you exercise with others it adds an element of accountability/motivation and it’s just more fun,” said Randy Sabourin, team leader for Metro Fitness. “I believe you are going to be more successful with a group, workout buddy or by utilizing the services of a personal trainer.”
The series has been going for several summers in Clinton Square, and some of the programs have changed to meet new fitness trends. For example, the boot camp component was added a couple of years ago, due to the popularity of boot camps across the country.
Sabourin has had his Metro Fitness club in downtown for about 23 years, and is hopeful that with all the new residents and businesses downtown, that Wellness Wednesdays will attract the biggest crowds to date.
The program is also supported by the City of Syracuse Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs; the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association; Custom Logo USA; and Avalon Printing.