Presbyterians Pump Iron

We have aerobics at our place on Mondays and Thursdays. But we don't have anything like Highland Presbyterian Church in Fayettville, NC. The good folks at Highland are this week's joyful news congregation.

This is from their webpage:

Highland Recreation & Fitness Center provides a "total body experience" by building physical strength for the body and spiritual enrichment for the mind. Through the fellowship of Highland Presbyterian Church, the Recreation & Fitness Center is open to all members of the community and offers a family, Christian environment in which to play, exercise, and become closer to God.

The FayObserver noticed the trend of churches providing alternative to expensive gyms:

John Velandra, who runs Highland Presbyterian Church’s recreation center, said the church decided to open its own workout facility about six years ago as a way to benefit its members and reach out to the community.

Velandra said members love the quiet atmosphere of the equipment rooms, which carry gym-standard weight machines, cardio equipment and accessories. The center also has an indoor walking track and access to a personal trainer for an extra fee.

A yoga program will begin in February, said Velandra, who offers one-on-one and group fitness training at the gym through his company, Designs in Fitness & CrossFit Cape Fear.

The Highland gym is free for church members, with the exception of a $15 magnetic membership card. Nonmembers can get a membership for $30 for a single, $40 for a couple and $50 for a family. Memberships are on a month-to-month basis and do not require a contract.

Velandra said it’s one reason the Highland gym is so well-liked by its members.

“A lot of people don’t like the environment (of commercial gyms),” he said. “They don’t like that they have to have a contract for two years, and just all the negativity that comes with it.”

About 25 to 30 people visit the Highland facility in a 14-hour day, giving it the feel of a private gym, he said.

“This is a little hidden gem,” he said. “No one really knows it’s here.”

Doors to fitness rooms are enabled by magnetic card swipes, and each room has security cameras, he said.

There you have it.

I think this is a great thing. We should be using our facilities to help people in body and in soul.

But I still gotta post this:



Get in shape with Jesus.