Free Outdoor Fitness Classes Available in East Helena Throughout the Summer

The AARP FitLot Park in East Helena is celebrating its 5-year anniversary this year. AARP Montana is joining with the City of East Helena to celebrate the outdoor addition to the community with free classes all summer long. 

Located in Kennedy Park, adjacent to the playground and across from the city pool, is an installation of several all-weather, high-quality athletic stations that effectively create an exercise circuit for anyone looking for a workout session.

The FitLot park was donated by AARP Montana for all ages as a part of a larger national initiative in honor of AARP’s 60th anniversary. There is at least one AARP FitLot park in all 50 states.

“It’s an opportunity to really show our commitment toward local communities and healthy aging,” said Tim Summers, AARP Montana State Director. “The outdoor exercise equipment encourages people of all ages to stay fit and meet others in the process. Also, the FitLot is free and open to the public – saving folks the cost of joining a gym.” 

There are ellipticals, benches and dip and pull-up bars, and resistance band stations. Most stations provide the opportunity to adjust resistance based on the user’s strength. If any station appears unfamiliar, a description is posted beside it, detailing how to correctly perform the exercise.

Many people stopping by the outdoor fitness circuit may be relatively inexperienced when it comes to structuring their own workout. Designers created the equipment to be as self-explanatory as possible, but when someone is out of the swing of an exercise routine, going at it alone can be daunting.

This is especially true for older people. They often don’t have a viable place to exercise, despite the proven benefits of exercising at an older age.

In response, AARP Montana and the City of East Helena have joined forces to offer a series of free classes held throughout the summer at the Kennedy Park FitLot.

Bri Martini, an American Council of Exercise certified trainer (ACE certified trainer for short) will lead the FitLot classes 9-10 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the summer, June 9 – September 5.

The most important aspect of her job is to lead the participants through the exercise, closely monitoring them. This is particularly true for active older adults.

“There’s a variety of exercises people can do – and it’s really good for anybody to have a strength workout,” said Summers. “It builds metabolism, strengthens their bones and their joints. But most people don’t get the opportunity to utilize equipment in their exercise routine. Which is what makes the FitLot so great for a community -- the fact that it’s free and open to everyone.”

The one-hour FitLot circuit training classes will help people learn proper movement and safe equipment use within the format of a slow-paced, light-effort instructional setting. The classes are designed for all ages and abilities.

Registration is required and space is limited. Once registration is confirmed, wear comfortable shoes and clothing and bring water.

June 9, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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June 11, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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June 13, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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June 16, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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June 18, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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June 20, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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June 23, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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June 25, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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June 27, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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June 30, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 2, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 4, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 7, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 9, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 11, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 14, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 16, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 18, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 21, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 23, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 25, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 28, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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July 30, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 1, 9am, East Helena’s Kennedy Park, 309 Harrison Avenue N., East Helena, across from the City Pool.
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August 4, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 6, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 8, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 11, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 13, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 15, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 18, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 20, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 22, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 25, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 27, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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August 29, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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September 3, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
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September 5, 9:00 AM: Kennedy Park in East Helena at 309 Harrison Ave. N. (across from the City Pool)
👉 Registration link coming soon!