Women from all over Boston congregated Sunday in Boston Common for the tenth annual ‘Workout in the Park,’ an event sponsored by Self Magazine to raise money for breast cancer awareness.
Self Magazine will hold Workout in the Park in seven major cities this year, an expansion from only four cities last year. An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people were expected to turn out for the Boston event, which was open to both men and women. Ariana Hopkins, a Reebok representative, said she expected a good turnout from what she feels to be ‘a very strong women’s initiative in Boston.’
The workout, which took place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., offered participants a wide variety of activities including fitness classes led by Crunch Fitness instructors, Reebok balance and weight training, a climbing wall, massages, henna tattoos and samples of the newest health and beauty products.
Activities and products were all included in the $10 entrance fee.
Fitness classes included Disco Yoga, Survival of the Fittest (taught by ex-military personnel), Latin Groove, Broadway Dance Series and Cardio Tai Boxing. Instructor and former boxer Luis Hernandez, who has taught kickboxing, abdominal and jump rope classes for six years, said he was there not only to instruct, but also to ‘promote health, and just have a good time.’
Many students turned out for the event as well.
Ania Przechodzka, a student at Northeastern University, said working out is ‘a big stress reliever.’
‘It’s good to try and stay healthy, especially in college,’ she said.
Lynne Stubblefield, a student at Bunker Hill Community College, agreed that being fit ‘just gives you a better balance in your life.’
The event, which was also presented by Ford, and sponsored by more than 20 health and beauty companies, donates all proceeds to The Big Bam! Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Last year, Workout in the Park raised more than $30,000.
Kristina McMahon, promotional director for Self Magazine, said the event ‘helps bring the magazine to life … and raising money for Big Bam! and the Susan G. Komen Foundation is a cause that is close to our hearts.’
Donna Cyrus, Director and Instructor for Crunch Fitness, said the workout ‘helps bring awareness not only to our member base [25-40 year olds], but to younger women as well.’
Maureen Kennedy, a 39-year-old marathon runner and mother of three, came with her best friend, 41-year-old Christina Kling, for ‘a challenging workout.’
The two friends, avid supporters of breast cancer awareness, said they have been touched close to home by the disease. Kling’s mother, Nastasia, is a survivor of breast cancer. Their close friend Anne-Marie Viviano, an 11-year survivor, received the Susan G. Komen Award for raising $15,000 to improve the lives of women with breast cancer while battling the disease herself.
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