Men Celebrate Free Health and Fitness Day

The Des Plaines Park District and the City of Des Plaines Health and Human Services Division hosted their first free Men's Health and Fitness Day, at Prairie Lakes Community Center on June 10, in celebration of National Men's Health Month. "The day was designed to bring an awareness to health issues that men and boys face, so that they can be proactive and take control of their well being," said Shelli Sarg, Facilities Manager.

Featured at Health Day were: Dick Pond Athletics, a running specialty retailer; Gwen Lacosse from the Des Plaines Public Library, with information and resources on healthy choices, books on diet and exercise, and information on classes to stay active; Lori San Pietro, MS, LPC, CADC, from Presence Holy Family Medical Center's Keys to Recovery, a leading alcohol and drug treatment program; Jason F. Torres from Presence Holy Family Medical Center's Sleep Disorder Clinic; and Lauren Canon, Director of Rehabilitation Services at Presence Holy Family Medical Center; and Kimberly Salzmann, a Dr. Sears L.E.A.N. Health Coach and an educator with the Juice Plus Company. Also on hand was Madeline May, Community Health Nurse for the City of Des Plaines, with free blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen level screening, and two Des Plaines Park District personal trainers, Karen Grabowski and Jerry Horton, who measured body fat and talked about fitness classes at the Prairie Lakes Fitness Center.

The Des Plaines Park District has a state-of-the-art fitness center with top-of-the-line equipment, a range of high energy and low impact fitness classes, cycling classes, racquetball courts, and a free indoor walking/jogging/running track. "We encourage all men to schedule a check-up with their health care provider and get on track with a fitness routine," said Sarg.

Prairie Lakes Community Center is located at 515 E. Thacker Street, Des Plaines. For more information call 847-391-5711 or visit www.DPParks.org.