Group fitness classes to resume outdoors

LA PORTE, Ind. — A couple La Porte fitness centers are finding a way to take advantage of the early stages of Indiana’s reopening policy by hosting outdoor group fitness activities beginning Thursday.

One of the organizers is Go Aerial Fitness owner April Kelly, whose business was otherwise booming with different programs before having to close down due to the pandemic.

“We’ve lost 90 percent of our income over the last couple months,” Kelly said.

Both Go Aerial Fitness and Urban Fitness plan to use a public downtown space for members’ socially-distanced Zumba and yoga classes – each member signing in virtually, bringing their own mats, and staying at least six feet apart.

“I just was trying to think outside of the box and saw that we are allowed to gather in groups of 25 or less and I thought I’d ask for (city) permission to use the plaza,” Kelly said.

And Mayor Tom Dermody got on board.

“We’re going to continue to move cautiously, but it’s time,” Dermody said.
And Go Aerial Fitness is a great example of saying ‘Hey, this is the new normal. We may not be able to be back inside a building, but we can still do what we need to do and bring our community together outdoors.’”