BFR Sports and Fitness' Keeping Active program is at the halfway mark this week. Community members of all ages are invited to take part in a variety of free programs including free fitness classes, free days of walking inside the BFR facility, nutritional information sessions, and family events.

The Keeping Active program offers something for everyone. Most of the activities will be held at the BFR facility located at 215 Snider Road, Bluffton. A full schedule of activities is available at the building, from area business locations as well as on the web site www.bfronline.com.

The focus of upcoming events is Healthy Hearts! Friday, Feb. 7 is the annual National Wear Red Day sponsored by the American Heart Association and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Planned activities at the BFR include a free Coffee Walk (8:30-10 AM), heart-healthy diet information, group photo at 11 AM, and children’s activities during the Open Play session at 11 AM.

An evening session of Heart Healthy Cooking is planned for Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 6:30-8 PM. The Healthy Heart display and cooking tip session will be provided by Bluffton University graduate interns in Dietetics.

Saturday, Feb. 8 from 8:30-10 AM is a free heart-theme Silly Saturday family program.  Silly Saturdays are offered throughout the year and include physical activities, craft and snack.  Participants should be ages 3-6 with an adult or older sibling in attendance. This session of Silly Saturday will be offered without charge; pre-registration is requested but not required. Exercise-related programs will include free admission to both levels of water exercise (Thursday, Feb. 6 at Level 2 at 8:30 AM and Level 1 at 9:30 AM.

Another chance to try-out exercise in the water will be offered on Monday, Feb. 10.  The evening Aqua Zumba class (6-7 PM) will be offered without charge that night. Aqua Zumba is a Latin-dance  based program that offers lively music and lots of low-impact movements; all ages and fitness levels are welcome. In addition, the evening All Star Workout class on Thursday, Feb. 13 (5:30-6:30 PM) will be offered free. Kelly Martz will be the substitute instructor for the evening.

Free access to the BFR indoor track will be offered on Thursday, Feb. 6 (5:30 AM-9 PM), Sunday, Feb. 9 from 1-5 PM, Wednesday, Feb. 12 (5:30 AM-9 PM), Thursday, Feb. 13 (5:30 AM-9 PM), and Saturday, Feb. 15 (8 AM-9 PM).  A Coffee Walk is planned for Friday, Feb. 7, so walkers are welcome from 8:30-10 AM without charge and includes an optional cup of coffee.

An important part of the Keeping Active schedule is offering informal recreational options for individuals and families. The President’s Active Lifestyle Award challenge is still available by visiting www.presidentschallenge.org/challenge/active/index.shtml or stopping in at
BFR. 

In addition, the noontime basketball program will be offered free on Monday, Feb. 10; area adult men are welcome to join in for recreational play over the lunch hour (12-1 PM). The Coed evening session will be offered without charge on Wed. Feb. 12 from 9-10 PM.   Adults are also encouraged to gather friends for an informal Dodgeball Tournament
on Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 7-9 PM. There is a fee of $30 per team for the dodgeball event; teams must register by 6:30 PM that night. A family night is planned for Friday, Feb. 14 from 6-8 PM; this free event will feature open play in the gymnasium plus a few heart-based activities.

BFR Sports & Fitness is a non-profit organization that provides life long fitness and sports opportunities for all ages. For more information about Keeping Active or any BFR program, contact BFR by calling 419-358-4150, visiting the center located at 215 Snider Road in Bluffton, or visit the web site www.bfronline.com.