"Commit To Be Fit," a new series of recreational programs for winter and spring, has begun at the city’s newly renovated Anacostia Wellness and Fitness Center. The center, located at 1800 Anacostia Drive SE, is operated by the D.C. Department of Recreation and Parks.

Among the wide variety of activities available to D.C. residents as part of the program are classes in aerobics, Tae Kwon Do, instructional weight training, and hand dancing.

"Recreation in Anacostia has long been a stable force in the community for years, and programs like this just enhance it," said Luna Harrison, who heads the sports office at the Anacostia recreation center.

The center offers several levels of aerobics classes. The low-impact aerobics program is designed for participants looking for an introduction to aerobics. It starts at a slow pace, designed as a workout to improve cardiovascular fitness and flexibility. High-impact aerobics, a bit more intense, is set to a wide variety of up-tempo music and instructors push participants a little harder. Step aerobics, a conditioning class that uses intermediate-level step patterns at a middle-to-challenging level of intensity, has been one of the more popular aerobics classes. The most unique of all the aerobics classes is one called "inspirational aerobics." This program was designed to provide aerobic instruction set to gospel/inspirational music. Participants "stomp" and step to the likes of Kirk Franklin to make their exercise sessions seem less like a chore and more like a fun experience.

Hand dancing is an activity that doesn’t require any previous dance experience. It is one of the most loved social activities that is offered across the city, Harrison said.

"We knew the older citizens would enjoy it, but the response of younger people towards hand dancing was a pleasant surprise," Harrison said.

Participants of all ages learn the techniques, timing and balance of one of dancing’s oldest forms at its best. "It’s one of the most lively workouts you could ever have, and it makes you feel good," Harrison said.

The Tae Kwon Do program offers training in self-defense, but also education in the philosophy and discipline of the martial arts, and application of the martial arts philosophy to all aspects of life.

For more information on "Commit To Be Fit" or any other programs at the Anacostia recreation center, call (202) 645-3940.

Copyright 1999, The Common Denominator