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Tonganoxie FAST group begins weekly workouts, encourages wide-ranging participation

By Shawn Linenberger - | Apr 5, 2016

The area was abuzz on a beautiful Sunday evening.

But Royals baseball wasn’t the only thing folks were interested in that night.

Families Actively Strengthening Tonganoxie community workouts also started Sunday night with 33 people in attendance.

The Brew to Brew run took place earlier Sunday from Boulevard Brewing Company in Kansas City, Mo., to Free State Brewery in Lawrence, and Opening Night was happening at Kauffman Stadium. Still, Brad Eccles, Tonganoxie Recreation Commission assistant director, thought turnout was good for the first night considering all the happenings. In fact, some folks who participated in the Brew to Brew were in workout mode Sunday evening.

“Opening Night with the Royals helped keep numbers down,” Eccles said. “There were a lot of regulars last year I know will come back who I didn’t see. Thirty-three is pretty good for the first night back.”

Eccles said the workouts averaged 50 people each night this past fall in the first session of the community workouts. The workouts, a partnership between Free State Fitness and TRC, take place at 6:30 p.m. Sundays at Chieftain Park. This is the first of a 10-week session it’s hoped will roll over to another 10-week session and another, depending on attendance.

People attending at least five sessions will receive a FAST T-shirt this session. Eccles said prizes likely will be given out at the next session to “mix things up.”

The program also has received $2,200 combined through funds from the local Leighty Grant and Lawrence Memorial Hospital Endowment Association.

Eccles said the money is being used for T-shirts, prizes and exercise equipment.

He said the program is open to anyone in elementary school on up to adults, and people of all fitness levels and capabilities are welcome.

“That’s something we’ve really been trying to stress — do what you can,” Eccles said. “I know a lot of peel felt like last year they showed up and it was hard.

“Exercise is supposed to be a challenge, but no one’s going to give you a hard time if you have to stop and take a breath or do squats instead of broad jump or high knees instead of a bear crawl.

“We try to not to make any peer pressure. There’s always someone taking a breather.”

Eccles encourages participants to go at their own pace and bring as many family members as possible to the FAST workouts.

The current session will go until June 5. People can sign up the night of a workout session and are can get more information at the TRC office in downtown Tonganoxie. Its phone number is 913-845-3502.

“The most important thing is they’re there and they’re moving their body,” Eccles said. “Really that’s all we’re after.”