Brainstorming ways to make your community a Fitness Fanatics dream

Last week we brainstormed Pet Friendly Ideas and had a ton of great input! (Feel free to go over there and share your own)

Now, let's tackle programs that appeal to fitness lovers! I don't mean just a gym - what else would you do to make a community a paradise for fitness lovers? (Kim Cory, want to jump in on this?)

I'll start: Instead of just a community map, how about an area map that include parks and public work-out areas?

We installed outdoor fitness equipment/areas at several communities and are implementing a "walkers map" with landmarks to mark mileage so people can plan walks to fit the time they have to exercise.

Start a property running club and sign up for numerous races as a team (if they are charity type races, you're helping to create a fitness dream and doing good), start other types of property fitness groups as well, participate in sports leagues as a property, host healthy cooking demonstrations, if you have vending machines, make sure they have healthy options, have a bikeshare program (purchased 4 for 3 of the properties at my past company and it was received very well...bikes get used), create a fitness bulletin board using your resident portal (or other social media outlets) where residents can post fitness tips and healthy recipes, etc., host a healthy recipe exchange, and...I'll keep thinking!

How about bringing in a personal trainer or an "expert". If you have a fitness room that is not utilized or used, maybe having a military or boot camp type of training come in.

Got a pool? How about water aerobics? this is something that is very popular with older generations because it is less severe on the joints (so for those with arthritis it doesn't hurt to get a work out). For your younger residents maybe getting some swimming lessons going.

If you don't have a fitness room but have a community room or even a great outdoor space (who doesn't have a court yard or lawn area), maybe get a yoga instructor or ti chi instructor in depending on your community needs or wants.

The benefit to the instructors or experts is that they get clients or students when they normally wouldn't and we all know how powerful word of mouth is!