By: Imogen Farris, Contributor
A free group fitness program has partnered with Visalus Sciences through its “Project 10 Kids Initiative” which will donate 90 meals to kids for every 10 pounds lost.
ViLocity had its first free group fitness class on Saturday, Jan. 31 in downtown Acworth. The event consisted of full body workouts and circuit training exercises individuals can continue to do at home. They hope to meet in a group setting twice a month.
ViLocity was recently started by Jesse Cash and Casey Shipp. Cash has started other fitness programs around Kennesaw, and Shipp is a personal trainer and nutritionist. Through experience, Cash believes that people prefer to work out in a group setting. “When you go into a gym on your own, you have to think about your workout and plan it,” Cash said. “You’re not always going to be your best motivator.”
The pair wants this program to focus not only on fitness but also the importance of giving back to the community and to charity. “The community is definitely important, but actually giving back to people in need or children makes it just that much more of an awesome opportunity for people,” Cash said.
For every 10 pounds lost by the individuals that sign up for the challenge, Visalus will donate 90 nutritional meals to children in need. There is no time limit for the 10 pounds lost.
“It could take two weeks, two months or even a year,” Shipp said.
Cash and Shipp also plan to offer incentives for people to work harder and reach their goals. Restaurant gift certificates and Visalus products and supplements will be raffled off at the events. The most dedicated person who comes to all of the classes, puts in the effort at home, and loses the most weight will receive a “Weight Loss Challenge Kit” valued at $300.
Kate Crumbley has been working out and receiving nutritional information from Shipp for the past two years. “Casey has an ability to empower women,” Crumbley said. “She can identify your personality and cater to your needs.”
ViLocity is not the only group that is giving back to the community and giving people a great workout. Cash is also a leader of Wandering to Nourish Atlanta, a nonprofit organization focused on helping feed the homeless in Atlanta.
Cash founded the branch of the organization called R.U.N., which stands for Reduce Urban Neglect. On the fourth Sunday of every month, volunteers load up backpacks filled with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and other essentials, and take the six-mile journey through downtown Atlanta.
“You might run a mile, then stop and serve some people, and then keep going,” Cash said. “What we try and do is take people on a real in-depth experience. It’s not sugar-coated.”
Wandering to Nourish Atlanta has two events each month. The first is on the second Sunday of every month and caters more to families with kids or senior citizens. This month’s event will take place on Feb. 8 at 1:30 p.m. on 414 John Wesley Dobbs Ave. There will also be a R.U.N. event this month, which will take place on Feb. 22 at 11 a.m. at the same address. Each event will take approximately three hours to complete.
Cash and Shipp hope to address not only obesity problems but also other hunger issues as well. Casey Shipp’s husband Skip, a former Atlanta Braves player, works with kids struggling with anorexia.
“These kids are right next to you on the school bus, and you don’t even know,” Skip Shipp said. He hopes the fitness class will turn into a format where parents who can’t afford it can go, lose those 10 pounds and get the 90 nutritional meals.
Cash and Shipp hope to bring their free fitness programs to KSU in the spring. Shipp said college-aged individuals need to work out now “because they are about to become mommy’s and daddy’s with corporate jobs who might not be able to find the time later.”
