During a short break in a circuit training workout, almost all the members in the class of about 20 people bent over with their hands on their knees, trying to catch their breath before another set of lunges.
“That’s how you know it’s working,” Darein Washington, co-owner and manager of Washington’s Martial Arts Training Center, told the room.
On Saturday, the fitness center at 2003 Belmont Ave. in the Northmont section of the city held its Health Summit, offering four different 35-minute workout sessions, including classes in kickboxing, circuit training, Zumba and yoga.
Vendors with health-related items also set up tables for participants during breaks between sessions.
“The goal of today is pretty much to enlighten the community, enlighten everyone with a lot of products and different trends and different aspects of health and wellness,” Washington said, “and give them different options for them to dabble in.”
Zaria Wilson, 16, of Reading came to the center with her brother Marcus. Wilson said she doesn’t exercise regularly, but would like to start.
“My brother motivates me a lot because he is so focused on being fit,” she said.
For Wilson, the circuit training session allowed her to exercise using a resistance band for the first time.
“It was challenging, very challenging, tiring,” she said. “But it really works. I feel it working in my arms, my abs, my legs. It was very helpful.”
Her cousin Alexis Freytiz, 26, also attended the summit. She is a personal trainer and a health and wellness coach with Herbalife Nutrition, which produces meal replacement shakes. Herbalife was one of the vendors.
“I help people work out, but then I also back it up with nutrition,” Freytiz said. “I think people are working out and then clueless after they’re done with their workout when they come home how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.”
Jamie Odegaard, an instructor at the center, also likes to help people lead healthy lifestyles.
“Health to me is such a high importance,” she said. “When you’re healthy, you feel better, you’re happier.”
Odegaard led the kickboxing session.
“Everybody looked like they were getting a great workout,” she said. “Everybody was sweating and smiling. Some people were dancing a little bit.”
Odegaard said when teaching a class using kickboxing bags, it’s important to make sure people have the right form.
“It works your muscles in a completely different way,” she said. “You’re actually creating an impact when you’re punching the bag, like as opposed to when you’re punching the air.”
Odegaard said she had people attend her session who were new to the center. However, she said many seemed to have experience in kickboxing or perhaps were simply able to quickly catch on.
Washington said he hopes the event exposes people to new options for health and fitness that they may not have considered before. Washington himself has been testing out eating vegan.
“The hardest part is getting started,” he said of trying any new health or fitness routine.
Washington hopes to hold another summit in the winter.
Contact Jenny Roberts: 610-371-5019 or jroberts@readingeagle.com.
