Two new fitness programs – Zumba and Pilates - will be offered to residents through a new partnership recently formed between the Lawrence Township Recreation Department and Viva Community Fitness of Cherry Hill.

Each program will meet weekly – on either Tuesdays or Thursdays – at Ben Franklin Elementary School for eight weeks beginning in mid-April. There is a $68 participation fee for each program. While the programs will be run by Viva staff, the township will receive a portion of the participation fees.

Such a partnership between the township and outside recreation vendors was first suggested by Recreation Department Superintendent Steve Groeger during the Nov. 8 township council meeting during a presentation about ways the recreation department could become more “self-sustaining” and less reliant on tax dollars amid the township’s ongoing financial problems.

Groeger said such partnerships will “enable us to provide new recreational and leisure opportunities for residents without increasing the budget, while generating additional revenue.”

He said he is currently exploring other partnerships to offer programs such as T’ai Chi, cooking and canning/preserving.

For more information or to register for either Viva fitness program, call (856) 751-0095 or visit www.vivacommunityfitness.com. (See the flyer above for additional program and registration information)      

Viva Community Fitness describes its Viva Zumba program as follows:

Zumba fuses Latin rhythms and easy to follow steps with energizing music that makes you want to get up and move! Join us for an exhilarating hour of caloric-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring moves. For all fitness levels and ages 12 and up. Wear exercise attire, sneakers and a smile. Targets: Legs, arms, cardiovascular system (heart & lungs).

Viva Mat Pilates, meanwhile, is described as:

Slim your waist, stomach and hips; strengthen and tone your muscles; relieve back, wrist, neck and shoulder pain and melt away stress. You will leave each class standing taller, looking younger and be full of energy. Non-jarring exercises are tailored to fit each student’s body. Perfect for men/women, ages 15 and up and all fitness levels. Wear comfortable exercise attire. Bring a large towel, mat, medium or regular strength Pilates band. Targets: Abs, back, posture, balance and flexibility.