Orland Park Recreation Department fall classes

Originally Posted:  August 25, 2013

The kids are headed back to school, the unscheduled days of summer are just about done, so it’s time to think about taking advantage of some of the fall programs offered by Orland Park’s recreation department.
If you’ve received the current fall brochure, you can see that it is chock full of new classes and offerings. If you haven’t received it yet, you can view it online at the new website (launched in August), www.orlandpark.org, where you can also register online.
Deborah Geghen, fitness manager at the Sportsplex, was excited to share the new classes that are slated for the upcoming season. The Sportsplex is constantly updating classes and adding offerings to its members in an effort to keep Orland Parkers motivated. These classes have limited spaces available, so register quickly if you see something that you like.
Here’s a recap of some of the classes offered this fall:
There’s a new class called Cross Challenge, an intense co-ed workout that will challenge even the fittest individual. It’s Orland Park’s version of CrossFit training. The class limit is 12, and classes start Sept. 9.
The instructors will lead participants to work out at their pace, while providing instructions for higher or lower level exertion. Johanna Enders, an instructor for the village for more than 18 years, said a goal of the class is to “try to change it up all of the time so that it is never the same workout.”
Enders said participants will consult a board that “details the workout for the day, consisting of five or six stations, which may include jump ropes, shoulder presses, squats, dead lifts, burpees, pullups, rowing machines, etc., for a prescribed number of repetitions.” The workout is not timed and when you finish a rotation, you can begin again.
If you have little ones still at home (ages 2-5) then Kids Active Care may be an option. Children get to play games, do art projects and move around while being attended to in an active environment. Parents can do exercise classes or workout on their own upstairs. This class begins Sept. 9.
For the sports-minded individual, the Speed and Agility class might be attractive to improve these skills. It starts Sept. 10.
If you want to tour Orland Park and get fit at the same time, consider Stroll and Strength, in which moms get a chance to work out with their babies while enjoying the trails of Orland Park. Led by a certified instructor, this class meets twice a week, beginning Sept. 16.
Kelly Kenny, an instructor for the village for nine years and a preschool teacher for 13 years, will be conducting several new classes this season.
Running, Biking, and Cardio Conditioning is a great class for students in track and cross country along with adults looking to compete in an event or just get their heart in shape. This class is for ages 12 and up and starts Sept. 16. Kenny also will lead Fitness Training for Girls (ages 10-18), which will meet twice weekly.
A class for high schoolers, Boot Camp for Teens, provides a way to stay motivated on a Monday and leaves you motivated to keep exercising the rest of the week. Class starts Sept. 23.
“Travel or club sports can be expensive, and these classes provide a way to exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle,” Kenny said, adding that socialization is a very important part of exercise. “People want to be with other people who share their fitness goals. These classes at the Sportsplex provide that. Even if you don’t know someone in the class in the beginning, you make friends that share your interests.”