The Redlands Community College Fitness Center is promoting health to the wider El Reno community. The center isn’t just for students; it’s an affordable wellness facility open to the public and designed to help anyone take control of their health.
For just $75 per three-month period, community members can access the college’s Wellness Center, a space outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and a wide range of free weights. Redlands students receive free access to the facility as part of their enrollment.
The center goes beyond traditional gym offerings with amenities that support a varied approach to fitness. A full gymnasium is available for walking and stretching, and those looking for something a bit different can take advantage of the on-site racquetball court. Redlands also hosts wellness classes such as chair yoga instructed by fitness trainer Shannon Dodd, making fitness accessible and enjoyable for people at all levels of mobility.
“Your health is your wealth,” said Anna Rinehart, coordinator of the Fitness Center. “Health affects everyone, it doesn’t discriminate, no matter your age or income or anything.”
For those over 65, regular movement and functional fitness can also help prevent falls and other health risks.
“We want to focus on quality,” Rinehart said. “If you don’t have quality, it impedes your ability to enjoy the years you have.”
That mission is embodied in the center’s Silver Sneakers program, an initiative that reaches out specifically to older adults with a focus on functional fitness and social connection. Okarche resident and program participant, Cherri Brandley, says joining the chair yoga class has been a game-changer.
“I knew I had to do something to get out of the house, to force me to put on some makeup and go,” Brandley said. “I love it. It’s social, and once you reach a certain age everything starts hurting, so you have to keep moving.”
Brandley encourages others who are hesitant to get involved.
“I would say give it a try,” Brandley said. “It’s for all ages, and if you’ve had shoulder surgery or something they can tell you the things you should do and shouldn’t do.”
To take wellness a step further, the Fitness Center also offers personal training sessions with a certified trainer through the National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF). For those looking to get a deeper understanding of their health, the Accuniq Body Composition Analysis provides a comprehensive look at body metrics that are far beyond what a scale can reveal.
For more information on these programs, visit the Fitness Center webpage.