Coaches' Corner with Ricky Martin
Ricky Martin
By: Ricky Martin
Sports Backers has its finger on the pulse of where wellness is headed in our region. Their partnerships with the Richmond City Health District and other leading organizations – from Hopewell to Henrico, Petersburg to Chesterfield, and everywhere in between – make for a wide reach to those who are seeking to improve their health and well-being.
Recently our current class of Fitness Warriors were put to the test. For the past two months, these 31 individuals have spent countless hours learning, practicing, and studying so they are prepared to lead group fitness routines. This culminated with each of them having to prove what they had learned and prove that they were equipped with the knowledge and skills that it takes to lead group exercise classes. The process is known as “teachbacks,” and it is a daunting experience
for each of the 31 Warriors and all of the Warriors who have come before them. In true Warrior spirit, they accepted the challenge, put in the work, and all 31 Warriors passed their teachbacks.
Now that they have reached that milestone in the program, it is time for the real work to begin. The Warriors will be teaching 31 new FREE classes all over the region – 31 free classes each and every week. These classes will be offered through the City of Richmond, the tri-cities, Charles City, Chesterfield, and Henrico. Each of these municipalities will feel the spirit of our Fitness Warriors through these classes.
These Warriors studied hard and practiced long hours to learn a good deal of material. T
hey were inspired by their mentors and by the two previous classes that set the standard. They are now an awesome force to be reckoned with when it comes to instructing group exercise classes and being leaders in the community.
Each person who will attend one of these classes is considered part of the Warrior Nation. We are larger than the instructors. We are as big as the families that benefit from better health as a result of exercise. We are as big as the participants that have their medications reduced or eliminated. The reach is vast. As the Fitness Warriors continue with their work in the community, feel free to be happy about what we are doing and share the good news to everyone. The class schedule can be found at sportsbackers.org/warriors-schedule.