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Unusual workouts star in Lisle charity's new health fair

If bouncing on a trampoline has never seemed like a workout, think again.

If going downhill skiing seems possible only during Colorado vacations, think again.

These and other good-for-you activities available in the Western suburbs will be spotlighted during a new health event Sept. 10 in Lisle.

The Family Fun Health Fair sponsored by Respite Endowment Organization aims to promote physical and mental health for all ages, said Becky Pundy, founder and executive director of the Lisle charity that provides rest breaks for parents of children and young adults with special needs.

“It's also about broadening people's minds about some of these activities people don't usually see as physical fitness,” Pundy said. “We want seniors to see the possibilities. We want children and adults with disabilities — and these businesses — to really shine.”

More than 25 fitness- or health-related businesses will be exhibitors during the free fair, which runs 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Benedictine University, 5700 College Ave., Lisle.

Some of them focus on common athletic activities. Dick Pond in Lisle is all about running. Bicycles Etc. in Lisle caters to cycling. EcoGym in Naperville is a fitness facility with an earth-friendly twist.

“We are the world's first human- and solar-powered fitness center,” co-owner Chris Gellings said, “where the more you visit, the less it costs, so it gets all the way down to zero.”

But other participating businesses surprised Pundy with the ways they turn something fun, unusual or childish into a true-blue workout.

Take SkyZone in Aurora. It's a trampoline place. One of those outfits where kids go for birthday parties to bounce out some of their excess energy and enthusiasm. Adults usually stay on the sidelines.

But the facility actually encourages those same adults to get in on the action to burn calories, increase core stability, tone arms and legs and increase cardiovascular endurance.

SkyZone offers one-hour fitness classes three times a week — 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 9 to 10 a.m. Saturdays. The classes cost $10 each (the first is half off) or $80 for a 10-class pack.

General Manager Kevin Dougal says participants can burn up to 1,000 calories during the hour by working with resistance bands and medicine balls, playing games, running relays and bouncing all the while.

“By the time you're done working out, you worked up a good sweat,” Dougal says, “but it's such a great accomplishment and feeling that you almost forget you're working out.”

Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports, which operates a ski hill in Lisle during the winter, and Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge also will be at the fair, emphasizing the workout value of their recreational activities.

“I really want to feature these things just to open people's minds,” Pundy said.

There will be prizes and raffles throughout the fair, and massage therapy students from the College of DuPage will be working the kinks out for donations to benefit Respite Endowment Organization.

Demonstrations on martial arts, bicycle safety and agility also will take place, and at 11:30 a.m., Chicago-area magician Tim Hannig will put on his motivational ProKids character-building assembly and family show.

Pundy hopes the health fair can grow into an annual event and major fundraiser for the organization she founded to help out families like hers, who have kids or young adults up to age 25 with disabilities.

Since 2013, Respite Endowment Organization has provided rest breaks and gift cards for relaxing experiences to 30 parents of kids with disabilities in the Naperville Unit District 203, Indian Prairie Unit District 204 and Lisle Unit District 202 attendance areas.

  Snowboarding or downhill skiing at Four Lakes Alpine Snowsports in Lisle isn't just fun - it's a workout. This and other unusual fitness opportunities will be spotlighted during the first Family Fun Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Benedictine University in Lisle. Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com January 2016
  Find out about the fitness benefits of ice skating from the Seven Bridges Ice Arena booth at the new Family Fun Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Benedictine University in Lisle. Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com January 2006

If you go

What: Family Fun Health Fair

When: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10

Where: Benedictine University, 5700 College Road, Lisle

Who: Hosted by Respite Endowment Organization with booths from more than 25 health- and wellness-focused businesses

Cost: Free with prizes and raffles for charity

Info: respiteendowment.org

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