The first 2012 Challenge Event held at General Fitness as part of the Fifth Annual Fall River Fitness Challenge included an opportunity for Challenge participants to try out spinning and to do some muscle conditioning work on February 1st. The hour session offered about forty Challenge participants plenty of opportunity to see what these types of workouts can do to help with cardiovascular fitness and strength training. Sponsored by the Diabetes Association, Inc. (DAI),  Community Development Recreation (CD-REC), the Fall River YMCA, General Fitness and Healthy City Fall River, and supported by Partners for a Healthier Community, the Challenge offers low cost opportunities for those who live, work or attend school in Greater Fall River to get fit, lose weight, have fun and win prizes. Registration closed at the end of January with over 650 adults weighing-in at these locations and at their workplace in the coming weeks. Click here for a five-minute video of the spinning class. For more information, contact Manager Scott Fastino at General Fitness at 508 677-4933 or CD-REC at 508-679-0922.

(Top row, left) First-time Fitness Challenge participants Robin Noverca and Kim Cole wait in line to try the spinning class at General Fitness. (Top row, center) Spinning instructor Jenn Silva goes over the basics of spinning before the session begins. (Top row, right) Jenn joins Challenge participants Beth Parrent and Mark Souza on the bikes. (Middle row, left) Challenge participants Elaine Tourigny, Christine Macri and Shelly Armstrong gets some tips from Jenn. (Middle row, center) First time Challenge participant Kerri Plaud takes a break in the spinning session. (Middle row, right) Challenge participant Chrissy Lewis, right, works hard during a sprint. (Bottom row, left) Beth and Jenn pose for a picture during the class. (Bottom row, center and right) Fitness instructor Christine Cordeiro leads Barbara Healy and other Challenge members in a strength training routine with hand weights.