Syracuse Parks and Recreation offers FREE exercise classes in Thornden Park every Tuesday and Thursday morning beginning at 6:15. Named the Sunrisers, this enthusiastic group meets at the playground to begin their day with fitness exercises using elastic bands and body weight. Dale Avers, a physical therapist at Upstate Medical University who also lives in the neighborhood, leads the classes. She modifies the exercise for individual abilities so that participants can get the most from their effort. Emphasis is on core, leg and arm exercises. A walk through the park, about 1 mile, finishes the program, ending promptly at 7:00am. Consider starting your day with the Sunrisers!

            Another option is to meet Patrick van Beveren at the field house in Barry Park at 6:00 pm Tuesday and Thursday. Call Dale at 415 8436 (daleavers@gmail.com) for more information. Dale Avers

 Physical therapist Dale Avers, DPT, who directs Upstate’s Transitional Doctor of Physical Therapy program, will survey participants on their fitness gains and lifestyle changes as part of the program.  “We’ll take various measures from the participants, such as weight and body circumference, and ask them to keep track of their daily activities and diet. This data collection will be important as we continue to understand the benefits of this type of community fitness programming,” Avers said. “I’m certain our participants will be able to feel and see the difference exercising has on their lives.”  The Fit program is modeled after a twice-a-week exercise program Avers has been leading in Thornden Park since June 2008.