Fitness Classes Offered At Hickory Creek Preserve In Mokena

Bathing suit season is fast approaching and if you want to shed a few pounds or firm up some flab in time for summer, the Forest Preserve District of Will County has a new program designed to get you moving in a fun outdoor setting.

Three "Fitness in the Forest" sessions will be held from 6-7 p.m. on Thursdays May 16, 23 and 30, at Hickory Creek Preserve – LaPorte Road Access, Hickory Hollow Shelter, Mokena.

Each 45-minute class will be led by Armando Cisneros, a certified personal trainer and owner of Level Set Fitness in Plainfield. This outdoor group fitness class is designed with the beginner in mind and will cover exercising basics, including warmup techniques, bodyweight exercising and proper form.

"We thought we'd offer a fitness expert out in our preserve to get people off their winter couches now that spring is here," said Angie Opiola, an interpretive naturalist for the Forest Preserve District. "We want them to get back outside with a solid first step."

The District has offered fitness oriented biking, running and yoga programs in the past, so focusing on fitness isn't new, Opiola added. But offering a fitness program at LaPorte Road Access and having a personal trainer lead the program is new, she explained.

"Ideally, we are providing people with a low cost option to get back into the swing of things, get outdoors and get moving. I'm hoping people ultimately enjoy the experience and just feel good about themselves and the experience."

The LaPorte Road Access location was chosen because it's in a highly populated area and it already has a lot of visitors who bike, hike and run, Opiola said. "We would like to connect with them and let them know we are here, why we are here and what we have to offer."

Fitness instructor Cisneros said he hopes class participants walk away from the program with more exercise knowledge than when they arrived.

"The goal is to empower people to learn more about fitness and their bodies so they can take better ownership of their health," he said. "I believe in educating people in safe, effective and challenging training methods that will provide them a quality of movement, life, strength, confidence and aesthetics like they have never experienced before."

He said exercising outside is "exhilarating" and the setting will provide an extra boost because "being in nature is a big contributor to one's health."

People can sign up for as few or as many of the classes as they want. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and gym shoes and bring water bottles and workout/yoga mats. The programs cost $7 per person per session and they are for ages 18 and older.

Registration is required by the Tuesday before each class. Register online at ReconnectWithNature.org or call 708-946-2216.