Plainfield Fitness Program Focuses on Mind, Body, Spirit — and Community

Looking to get fit in the new year, but an ordinary gym isn't for you?

A group of women from a Plainfield church — who also happen to be trained fitness instructors — are hoping to reach out to the community with a new cardio dance fitness program.

The program, ReFit, got its start several years ago in Texas, and is now available at Springbrook Community Church, 11247 S. Heggs Rd. The fitness "revolution" is aimed at embracing mind, body and spirit, with a focus on community.

After attending the first Chicagoland ReFit instructor training in November, Toni Shelton, Tamera Otero, Heather Darnell and Lisa Capenigro have launched Springbrook ReFit. Classes — which are free during the month of January — meet Saturday and Tuesday.

"It's more than just dance," Shelton said. "We went to reach out to the community a bit."

Shelton said she hopes to see ReFit become a branch of Springbrook's "KNOW NEEDS, NO NEEDS" campaign, designed to find needs in the community and help fulfill them.

But you don't need to be a member of the church to take advantage of the ReFit program.

Just like Springbrook, the ReFit program embraces the motto "No perfect people allowed." The classes are intended for all fitness levels and body types.

"There are no mirrors," Darnell said with a laugh.

"We accept people how they are here," Shelton said.

Right now, classes meet in the church lobby, but that could change as the program grows.

"We hope to expand," Capenigro said. "That's the idea, to reach out to the community — to get people here that might not otherwise be here."

Classes are at 9 a.m. Saturdays and 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays.

For more information on Springbrook ReFit, visit the program's Facebook page or the Springbrook website.