Building Community Through Movement Since 1991
When Meg Holmes walked into her first group fitness class at the Kettering Recreation Complex in 1991, she had no idea she was beginning a journey that would span more than three decades. That Saturday morning land aerobics class with Nancy Boss left her feeling “intimidated, confused and a bit out of breath”—but by the end, she was hooked. “I was able to follow along and I felt better and became more productive, which motivated me to try the class again,” Meg recalls.
Meg became a certified group fitness instructor herself! Her goal? To help motivate others to move while having fun, feel better and build a strong fitness community.
But life, as it often does, got in the way. After a two-year hiatus from group fitness classes, Meg returned—this time as a participant. She was delighted to find many familiar faces still attending regularly! “I felt a sense of belonging and that I was ‘home’ again,” she says.
Now retired, Meg has made group fitness classes central to her wellness routine. Her motto? “If you rest, you rust!” She focuses on balance, strength and flexibility to enhance daily function and reduce her risk of injury or falls. But it’s the community aspect that truly sets KRC apart. Meg’s classmates have created their own system of accountability—letting each other know when they’ll miss class, checking in on absent members and even maintaining a virtual attendance log (complete with travel receipts and doctor’s notes for excused absences!). “If a classmate misses too many classes without prior notice, another class member will reach out to see if everything is okay and let them know they are missed,” Meg explains. “It’s all about fostering a strong community and ACCOUNTABILITY!!”
Bottom line: “Attending group fitness classes at KRC is motivating, social and fun! Not to mention that attending a fitness class provides me a sense of accomplishment for doing something positive for myself!”