Participants in the 2009 Fitness Challenge had the chance to ramp up their cardiovascular health by visiting ten stations at Community Development Recreation headquarters on February 7, 2009. In recognition of the American Heart Association's Go Red For Women event the day before, participants were also able to get their blood sugar and cholesterol levels by staff from Southcoast Hospitals. Melyssa Boudray of the Providence office of the Heart Association was also on hand to give out information and to sign participants up for the Start Walking program. Fitness instructor Amy Jones then challenged each participant to complete each of ten different exercises, including knee lifts, shoulder presses, bicep curls, half squats, kicks and arm extensions. "This was not an easy challenge," noted Jones, "but it showed people what they can do if they try," she added. The event was one of a series of bi-weekly events that will take place throughout the four-month Challenge period. Over 800 people have signed up for the weight-loss and fitness program that began on January 10, 2009. Click here for the video of the event. Click here for photos of the first Challenge event. Click here for photos of last year's Challenge event. For information on the Challenge, call CD-REC at 508-679-0922 or go to www.FallRiverFitnessChallenge.com.

(Top row, left) The entire Estrella family, including Brittney, Colleen, Jeff, Jr., and Jeff, and Jean Souza sign up for the American Heart Association's Start Walking program with Melyssa Beaudry. (Top row, center) Rene Morro and Niki Marzilli receive instructions for the ten-station challenge from fitness instructor Amy Jones. (Top row, right) Jenny Cabral, Niki Marzilli, Rene Morro and Elaine DeGagne perform 200 arm extensions. (Middle row, left) Fall River WIC Nutrition Program Director Carol Webber leads the group through 300 knee lifts. (Middle row, center) Members of the "Big Mamas" team Niki, Rene, Elaine and Jenny pose with Melyssa at the Go Red For Women table. (Middle row, right) Amy Jones leads the group through 200 half squats. (Bottom row, left) Susan Oliveira, RN, of the Southcoast Health Van prepares to measure Scott King's cholesterol level. (Bottom row, center and right) Community Development Recreation's program director Jamison Souza leads the group through 200 arm extensions and bicep curls.