Central Carolina Community College’s Health and Fitness Science Department has been trying out something new this school year — offering a monthly group fitness activity for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Fitness First Fridays typically take place on the first Friday of each month from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m., with the next one scheduled for March 6. The cost is $5 per person, per session.
College athletes lead many of the activities for the adults, with others led by Health and Fitness Science Department instructors.
Past activities have included weight training, volleyball and basketball skills. March 6 and April 10 activities will focus on soccer.
“We’re just trying to expose them to a lot of the student athletes … and different sports and skills, just for fun and fitness,” said Thadd McElreath, chair of the Health and Fitness Science Department.
McElreath said the idea was inspired by the cooking activities run by the college’s Culinary Arts Department for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, also on first Fridays.
“It worked to reach a population that they weren’t reaching with the standard, regular classes,” he said. “So we are just following their lead.”
Many of the participants come over from the Stevens Center, a disability services and support organization that offers an adult day program onsite and is located close to the college’s Lee Main Campus.
Other participants come individually or with smaller groups.
On the First Friday in February, the college’s basketball team came out to work with the participants.
While most of the other participants opted for dribbling and passing, Ray Tingen and Maryann Martin, both of Sanford, proved themselves as good shots, not needing much in the way of coaching from the players, who called out a lot of encouragement, with occasional tips or ideas for challenges thrown in.
“I’m having fun,” said Tingen, who used to play on his high school’s basketball team.
Martin said she helped manage the basketball team at one of the high schools she attended. She said she likes being active with Fitness First Fridays.
“Instead of working out at home, I work out here,” she said.
Registration for the culinary classes is available by calling (919) 718-7500.
