Community Workout Day Soza Fitness
By John Benson, special to cleveland.com
PARMA, Ohio -- During the pandemic Veterans Memorial Park has been a popular epicenter of exercise for residents looking to get outside.
Parma-based Soza Fitness and Wellness is now upping the ante by offering its classes -- ranging from Zumba and kickboxing to piyo -- at the State Road park. Targeting both its members and newcomers, Fitness in the Park is scheduled for July 18 near the tennis courts on the east side of the campus.
“We know with the shutdown, social distancing and COVID-19, there are some people who come to the gym, but there are others who have a compromised immune systems or older parents that can’t visit,” said Soza Fitness and Wellness owner DK Jones, who lives in Brooklyn.
“Whatever the case is, Fitness in the Park is just a way for everybody to safely workout outside.”
While Soza Fitness and Wellness has held similar outdoor events in the past at a Cleveland Metroparks location in Parma Heights, this will be its first time looking for a larger audience in Parma.
Fitness in the Park allows the general public to sample the Ridge Road studio’s classes. For $10, participants can experience all six 25-minute classes.
“All fitness levels are welcome,” Jones said. “Just remember that it’s going to be hot. Everybody needs to dress appropriately -- bring water and a sweat towel.
“We will be social distancing. If some people are comfortable wearing a mask, they can do that. By us being outside and six feet apart or more, that’s not necessary -- especially when you’re exercising.”
The outdoor affair will also act as a fundraiser with gift basket raffles for small businesses struggling during the pandemic.
Since mid-March, Soza Fitness and Wellness has offered virtual classes. While the gym is now open, it’s struggling with reduced capacity and memberships.
“We’ve been in the community for a long time, so this is just a way for us to come together and maybe help a small business stay afloat,” Jones said. “It’s a win-win-win. We get a work out, get to see each other and at the same time help the small business community.”
Jones hinted Community Fitness Day could return to Veterans Memorial Park.
“If people want to do it, this could be something we schedule monthly,” Jones said. “Exercise helps not only to make you healthy and balance hormones, but it actually is one of the things they want people to do to help fight COVID-19.”
Read more news from the Parma Sun Post here.
