It's Time for Free, Fun Fitness on the Atlanta BeltLine

Patch Staff Report

Atlantans are gearing up for spring with the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s Free Fitness on the Atlanta BeltLine pilot program. Hundreds already have participated in classes located at parks and trails around the Atlanta BeltLine.

With warmer weather, springtime promises even more fitness and fun opportunities to get out and get moving on the Atlanta BeltLine. The free programs are funded in part through a grant from The Coca-Cola Company and can be reserved at BeltLine.org/fitsignup.

“We have received a tremendous response from the community and individuals eager to engage in these fitness activities. We have regular attendees, multi-generational families, first-timers and folks of all ages and walks of life participating in fitness classes and programs, which is exactly what we set out to accomplish,” said Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Program Director Rob Brawner in news release. “We are excited to see the tangible impact these programs are having in the community.”

Free Fitness Classes

· Aerobics with Young at Heart Fitness  at Historic Fourth Ward Park – 6 p.m. Tuesdays

· Aerobics with Young at Heart Fitness at D.H. Stanton Park – 10 a.m. Saturdays

· FitWit “Day without Shoes” at Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark – 6:30 p.m. on April 29

· Intro to FitWit at Gordon White Park – 9 a.m. on Saturdays (except April 26)

· Basic Mountain Biking with REI at Gordon White Park – 10 a.m. on April 27, May 24, June 28

· Trail yoga with REI at Washington Park, Sundays - 1 p.m., beginning January 26th

· Trail yoga with REI at Piedmont Park, Mondays - 5:30 p.m., beginning January 27th

· How to Ride a Bike with REI: Adults at Washington Park - 2 p.m. on April 6, May 4, June 1

· How to Ride a Bike with REI : Kids at Washington Park - 2 p.m. on April 13, May 11, June 9

· Sunrise Hike with REI at Historic Fourth Ward Skatepark -  6 a.m. on April 7, May 5, June 2

· Sunset Hike with REI starting at Washington Park - 7:30 p.m. on April 4, May 2, June 6

· Group Run with REI at Tanyard Creek Park – 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 19

· Group Run with REI at Gordon White Park – 9 a.m. on May 17 and June 21

· Nutrition Walks with Open Hand at Piedmont Park – 5:30 p.m. on Wednesdays

· Nutrition Walks with Open Hand at Washington Park – 7:30 a.m. on Thursdays

· Nutrition Walks with Open Hand at Eastside Trail Extension – 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays

· Walk with a Doc with Healing Community Center at Lionel Hampton Trail – 9 a.m. on April 5, May 3, June 7

· Walk and Talk with a Piedmont Doc at Eastside Trail at Irwin St. – 8:30 a.m. on April 26, May 24, June 28

In addition to a variety of fitness programs and classes, the Atlanta BeltLine offers a number of other opportunities to get out and get moving on the Atlanta BeltLine:

Running Series

In addition to these free fitness activities, the Atlanta BeltLine Running Series offers free monthly Run Clubs, as well as a series of 5K, 8K and 10K events that benefit the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership. Information on the Atlanta BeltLine Running Series is available at BeltLine.org/Run.

The Atlanta BeltLine Northside 5K is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 beginning at 8 a.m., followed by the 1K Youth Fun Run, Police and Fire Department Challenge, and Atlanta BeltLine Soccer Street Cup.

Active Lifestyle Competition

The Atlanta BeltLine Active Lifestyle Competition encourages and rewards individuals for their fitness accomplishments. By participating in fitness activities around the Atlanta BeltLine and other partners, individuals earn points redeemable for exciting prizes provided by some of Atlanta’s favorite restaurants, stores and attractions. The 2014 Active Lifestyle Competition features a grand prize for the individual scoring the most points, including an experience package at Serenbe and a one-year membership to FitWit.

Play Day on the Atlanta BeltLine with Atlanta ContactPoint and Atlanta Jazz Festial

At the heels of the highly-successful Play Day on the Atlanta BeltLine in March, we again are partnering with Atlanta ContactPoint s well as Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Sport and Social Club, Atlanta Jazz Fest and many more local organizations for a full array of sports, fitness, arts, and music on May 17, 2014. Tentative Schedule:

· 1-2 p.m. Adult Soccer, Family Soccer, Adult Kickball, Tennis, Swimming

· 2-3 p.m. Rugby, Family Kickball, Adult and Family Tennis, Swimming, Water Aerobics

· 3-4 p.m. Softball, Adult Ultimate, Family Ultimate, Volleyball, Water Polo, Dance, Zumba

· 4-5 p.m. Golf, Flag Football, Street Hockey, Water Polo, Dance

· 5-7 p.m. AJF Neighborhood Jazz Concert Presented by Councilmember Ivory Lee Young, Jr.

Walking Tours

Atlanta BeltLine Walking Tours invite fans to enjoy fresh air, new city views, fascinating Atlanta history, and every season of horticulture interest! Expertly-trained Trees Atlanta Docents share insights on the Eastside Trail with a strong focus on the horticultural collections and interesting facts about the Atlanta BeltLine.

· The walking tour takes approximately 1.5 hours and begins from an easily accessible trailhead in the Inman Park neighborhood at 10 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

· Each docent prepares unique tours to spotlight the native trees, architectural interests, key historical stories, and much more.

· These free walking tours are offered all year to provide the opportunity to explore every season of the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum with an expert docent.

Bike Tours

The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership and Atlanta Bicycle Coalition offer free, guided bike tours of the Atlanta BeltLine on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. Enjoy the ride while you learn about the Atlanta BeltLine vision, history, and updates on project planning, implementation and development.

Bike tours include rest stops highlighting assets and points of interest along the Atlanta BeltLine. Staff with the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition will lead the rides, and each group will have a ride sweep to help with any unexpected mechanical difficulties.

Tour reservations are available at BeltLine.org/Tours.

Learn more about the Atlanta BeltLine’s healthy living initiatives at BeltLine.org/health.