Burning Calories in the Sun

The newly opened Anytime Fitness wants to take its exercise options outdoors with morning bootcamp style classes at Village or Madeline park.

hopes to launch its bootcamp classes in late June, said Drew Bikman, manager of the Sussex fitness center.  The proposal will be reviewed by the Village Board for a second time June 20.

When the request first came before the board in May, concerns were raised about ensuring that the bootcamp classes do not interfere with other activities, such as softball or baseball, and that the park remain available to the public.

“Sussex has an ordinance requiring organizations and business who would like to provide services using village facilities to receive village approval," said Jeremy Smith, village administrator. 

Approval is required to assure public space "is available for the general public to use, and it doesn’t interfere with other events,” Smith said.  

Bikman said the classes will be open only to Anytime Fitness members, at an additional fee still to be determined. He said he expects up to 15 people in each class, which will be led by a personal trainer and held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

“We would like to hold the bootcamp classes in a park to be outside and enjoy the summer weather,” said Bikman.

The bootcamp class focuses on exercises using body weight, including lunges, squats, low impact movements, and cardiovascular activity.

If the request is approved, Anytime Fitness may be limited to using only in off-peak times since it is a busy park, and a fee would apply, said Amy Jeske, village recreation director.  Classes could be held at without a fee, she said, because the village is trying to promote use of that smaller park. 

Bikman said Anytime Fitness is looking for a flat, grassy area, but hasn’t zeroed in on a specific park. That decision will be made after speaking with fitness center members to learn their preference.