Shelby County offers free classes at neighborhood gyms
A new Shelby County campaign promotes physical activity while exposing residents to different workout styles and connecting them to peers with similar health goals. (Daily Memphian file)
In an effort to improve health, Shelby County has launched an initiative that allows residents to attend free workout classes at gyms throughout the area.
The campaign is part of ShelbyCares, an initiative that works to improve community health while chipping away at three critical barriers: preventive health care education, accessibility and accountability.
It’s a partnership between the Shelby County Mayor’s Office of Innovation and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s College of Medicine.
“UTHSC has helped us grow ShelbyCares beyond our wildest imagination,” said Danielle Inez, Shelby County director of innovation.
“Now that we’re taking ShelbyCares into more areas of the community with free workouts at our new Neighborhood Health Clubs, I’m hopeful that more and more residents believe that Shelby County can be stronger, healthier and live longer lives.”
Participating gyms, called ShelbyCares neighborhood health clubs, will provide 50-minute group fitness classes that are beginner-friendly and suitable for all residents ages 16 and up.
The campaign promotes physical activity while exposing residents to different workout styles and connecting them to peers with similar health goals.
Classes are scheduled at different times to accommodate a variety of schedules.
Studies show more than half of Shelby County adults are overweight or obese, suffer high rates of heart disease and fewer than 30% have seen a primary care physician within the last year.
“Turning the tide on generations of poor health is no easy feat, and I commend the neighborhood gyms who have committed to help us expand access to great health,” Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris said.
“Our neighborhood health clubs have pledged to deliver patient, supportive and free fitness training for as many residents as they can serve. This is the type of collaboration that moves the needle. I look forward to meeting many more of our residents in the gym.”
Residents can visit www.shelbycares.co/workout to see available classes.
Topics
Mayor Lee Harris Danielle Inez ShelbyCares UTHSC Shelby County GovernmentAisling Mäki
Aisling Mäki covers health care, banking and finance, technology and professions. After launching her career in news two decades ago, she worked in public relations for almost a decade before returning to journalism in 2022.
As a health care reporter, she’s collaborated with The Carter Center, earned awards from the Associated Press and Society of Professional Journalists and won a 2024 Tennessee Press Association first-place prize for her series on discrepancies in Shelby County life expectancy by ZIP code.
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