Amy Struthers (counter clockwise from left) uses class-supplied resistance bands, Ramona Meester uses a hand cycler and Charlie Troxel uses a resistance band while Tracie Foreman, a community health educator with Aging Partners, leads a free, drop-in circuit training class in the new FitLot at Woods Park.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Amy Struthers uses the elliptical station in the FitLot during a free drop-in one-hour circuit training class in 2021 at Woods Park.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
A free drop-in one-hour circuit training class, part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation, uses the FitLot in Woods Park for a wide variety of exercises and stretches on Friday.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
With points to connect resistance bands, FitLot offers a wide variety of exercises. Amy Struthers uses class-supplied bands to do arm curls as husband Charlie Troxel (left) stretches and Tracie Foreman, a community health educator with Aging Partners, leads a free, 1-hour drop-in circuit training class in the FitLot, part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation, on Friday in Woods Park.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Using resistance bands supplied by the class, Ramona Meester (left) tries different options for exercising her triceps with help from Tracie Foreman, a community health educator for Aging Partners, in the FitLot in Woods Park. On Fridays, a free drop-in one-hour circuit training class is offered as part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation.Â
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Charlie Troxel (from left), Amy Struthers and Ramona Meester follow Aging Partners community health educator Tracie Foreman in Quigong exercises as part of a free drop-in one-hour circuit training class in the FitLot, part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation on Friday in Woods Park.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Charlie Troxel (left) uses a plyometrics station as wife Amy Struthers uses a chest press in the FitLot at Woods Park during a free drop-in one-hour circuit training class, part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Charlie Troxel uses a cardio stepper on Friday in the FitLot in Woods Park during a free drop-in one-hour circuit training class, part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation.
When the FitLot at Woods Park opened up in May, people attending the classes at the outdoor workout structure were excited just to be around others once again, let alone get a good workout in.
The FitLot was constructed through a grant from AARP to build one of the structures in each state. The one in Lincoln is the first in the state. The grant also funds free classes hosted there three times a week with a certified fitness instructor, F Street Community Center learning center supervisor Mary Johnson said.
“The first class that we had ... people were just so happy to see other people,†she said. “In fact, there were jokes about everyone wanting to hug each other.â€
The timing of the FitLot opening in May coincided with when people were starting to feel more comfortable being in groups again, especially outdoors, Johnson said.Â
“It is a way to be around other people in a group, which people have really, really missed, be exercising, people really missed that, and everyone is outside,†she said.
The FitLot is billed as the largest outdoor workout structure in Lincoln. It's built for circuit training and replicates many popular machines seen at indoor gyms such as an elliptical trainer, hand cycle, chest press and stair stepper. The structure sits on a soft-rubber surface under a large shade.
Johnson said attendance at each FitLot class session has been at or near the limit of 15 people.
Funding from AARP is covering the cost of holding the classes through spring of next year, but Johnson said the Lincoln Parks and Rec Department would likely continue the classes if community interest remains.
While the project is funded by AARP, the FitLot is open to adults of all ages, Johnson said. People are welcome to use the equipment at any time during the day. Each piece of equipment has a QR code on it that when scanned will pull up information on how to use it, she said.
Kelly Hartz said he uses the FitLot 3-4 times a week. He utilizes the equipment for exercises such as step-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, squats and different stretches.
Hartz said he’s found the equipment to be durable and enjoys getting to work out outdoors.
“It's good to be outside, because you get the sun on top of everything else, and I like nature,†he said.
People of all ages utilize the structure, Hartz said, and he sees it as a beneficial addition to Woods Park.
“I see kids out here, and then I'll see people that are retired get on the stepper or the elliptical," he said. "It's good for everybody. Even though it's sponsored by AARP, it's benefited the community, I think, in general.â€
Lincoln Parks and Recreation invites the public to the dedication of the AARP FitLot Outdoor Fitness Park at 9 a.m. Tuesday at Woods Park, 32n…
Amy Struthers (counter clockwise from left) uses class-supplied resistance bands, Ramona Meester uses a hand cycler and Charlie Troxel uses a resistance band while Tracie Foreman, a community health educator with Aging Partners, leads a free, drop-in circuit training class in the new FitLot at Woods Park.
A free drop-in one-hour circuit training class, part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation, uses the FitLot in Woods Park for a wide variety of exercises and stretches on Friday.
With points to connect resistance bands, FitLot offers a wide variety of exercises. Amy Struthers uses class-supplied bands to do arm curls as husband Charlie Troxel (left) stretches and Tracie Foreman, a community health educator with Aging Partners, leads a free, 1-hour drop-in circuit training class in the FitLot, part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation, on Friday in Woods Park.
Using resistance bands supplied by the class, Ramona Meester (left) tries different options for exercising her triceps with help from Tracie Foreman, a community health educator for Aging Partners, in the FitLot in Woods Park. On Fridays, a free drop-in one-hour circuit training class is offered as part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation.Â
Charlie Troxel (from left), Amy Struthers and Ramona Meester follow Aging Partners community health educator Tracie Foreman in Quigong exercises as part of a free drop-in one-hour circuit training class in the FitLot, part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation on Friday in Woods Park.
Charlie Troxel (left) uses a plyometrics station as wife Amy Struthers uses a chest press in the FitLot at Woods Park during a free drop-in one-hour circuit training class, part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation.
Charlie Troxel uses a cardio stepper on Friday in the FitLot in Woods Park during a free drop-in one-hour circuit training class, part of a partnership between Aging Partners and Lincoln Parks and Recreation.