CULLMAN, Ala. – Anytime Fitness Cullman is offering a four-week summer performance camp for middle and high school students starting June 15. The camp is designed to help young athletes stay active during the off-season and build confidence, discipline and healthy habits. The camp runs until July 13 and meets three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Middle school students (Level 1) meet from 1-2 p.m., and high school students (Level 2) meet from 2:30-3:30 p.m.
Co-owner John David Davis III explained that the camp was created because the gym wants to get more involved with local youth sports and give back to the community that has supported them for over 10 years.
“We’ve really been trying to get more involved with youth sports,” Davis said. “Ultimately, it’s just a way for us to kind of give back to the community that’s been really generous and kind to us throughout the past decade.”
Coach J.D. Parrish, who has worked at Anytime Fitness for about three years and has experience in local athletics, will lead the program. Davis said Parrish is passionate about helping young athletes grow both physically and mentally. The camp is designed to help students maintain conditioning during the summer months while also teaching them proper exercise techniques, recovery and the purpose behind different workouts.
“A lot of students during the summertime really fall off,” Davis said. “The goal is to fill that void, help them remain active in the offseason, but also teach them the importance of recovery after workouts.”
During the first week, the middle school program will cover basic movements and exercises like jumping jacks, lunges and body-weight workouts. Later weeks will add strength training, athletic development and performance challenges to help students gain confidence in the gym. The high school program will follow a more advanced structure with a greater emphasis on strength, power and athletic performance. Students will progress through heavier lifting, sport-specific movement training and performance testing during the final week.
Davis said the camp is about more than just athletic performance. It also aims to build confidence, discipline and perseverance in students.
“When things are hard, your brain is going to tell you that you want to give up. But your brain gives up way before your body does. Learning to push through hard things in workouts can translate into real life.”
The four-week program costs $199. Students will also get access to the gym during the camp once a parent or guardian signs a waiver. Anytime Fitness will also host a free community workout before the camp starts. Families can try some of the exercises and learn more about the program. More details will be shared soon on the gym’s social media pages.
Students can sign up in person at Anytime Fitness. If families cannot register in person, they can contact the gym on Facebook for other registration options and waiver details.
Anytime Fitness is located at 1845 Patriot Way SW, Cullman. Find it on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AnytimeFitnessCullman.
