Fit 4 Life | A family affair with Kings and Queen of cardio

The Gleaner’s Fit 4 Life early-morning workout session turned out to be a family affair last Saturday. Husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, children, brothers, sisters, cousins – no matter the relation, they all came out to journey with the Fit 4 Life team and their fitness partners to a healthier, fitter life.

On Saturday at Fit 4 Life’s second event of Season 3, brand ambassador Dr Alfred Dawes led the way as his wife, Latoya, joined him for an intense workout session with Body By Kurt and team.

Deborah Bennett, who turned up with daughter Monae Davis and sister Opal Batten in tow, was among the many Fit 4 Lifers that brought out family members for the exciting workout.

In fact, ‘workout families’ were also part of the mix. From Althea Salmon and her NHF Work It Out Challenge team to Nichola Lynch and the HEART Trust/NTA Biggest Loser Challenge team, several groups that are part of their respective company challenges showed up.

Cardio routines

At the NWC Sports Club on Mona Road, some 400 Fit 4 Life participants were taken through a number of powerful cardio routines with the kings and queen of cardio – Kurt Dunn with ‘70s and ‘80s cardio funk, Grand Master Bryan with kickboxing, Mad Andru with boot camp aerobics, Chelsha with old- and new-school dancehall, and Spartacus with stick aerobics.

Dancehall artiste Macka Diamond was not to be left out as she kept pace with the Fit in 5 routines. So, too, did Veronica Patterson, who won a prize for being the first person to sign the register at the venue, as well as Natasha Samuels and Neville Graham, who both kicked off their birthday at Fit 4 Life.

The Fit in 5 challenges were tough, truly testing the challengers’ fitness levels. In the end, Miss Fitness herself, Faith Browne, won both the Jamaica Moves cross squat jacks and Body By Kurt air jacks; Ahon Gray won the Fit 4 Life static abs; Scottmore Richards won the JP Foods push-up static concentric challenge; and Marika McIntosh took home the Caribbean Choice happy feet burnout prize.

Sponsors Jamaica Moves, WATA, PowerAde, Foska Oats, Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Milk, Elle & Vire, Caribbean Choice, Gustazos, Eden Gardens Wellness Resort & Spa, JP St Mary’s, Medical Associates Hospital & Medical Centre, and GraceKennedy Money Services made sure all Fit 4 Lifers were well taken care of.

Of course, Jennifer Hart Creary and her team of masseuses were on hand to give soothing massages to participants.

WEEK THREE

Week three of Fit 4 Life’s Season 3, ‘Fit in 5’, takes place this Saturday, October 5, at the Jessie Ripoll Primary School, St Andrew.

It will be hosted by the Sweet Energy Fitness Club, featuring Anthony Kepple, Robert ‘Astro’ Whyte, and MC Sheena-Kay and crew.

Follow Fit 4 Life on The Gleaner’s social-media platforms Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and on The Gleaner’s website using the hashtag #fit4lifeja to see where we will be next.

Now in its third year, for 12 weeks, The Gleaner’s health and fitness initiative, themed ‘Fit in 5’, will roll out at different locations across Jamaica, starting at 6:30 a.m., featuring free boot camp-style workouts, lifestyle and fitness tips, challenges to win great prizes, demonstrations and samplings from sponsors and partners, full-body massages, and health checks, among a host of other exciting things.

Everyone is invited to come out each week, free of charge, as The Gleaner’s Fit 4 Life team journeys with Jamaica to a healthy, fitter life.

Check out the Health section every Wednesday in The Gleaner and at www.jamaica-gleaner.com for all you need to know to be Fit 4 Life.

For more details, email yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.