Detroit Riverfront Offers Free Fitness Opportunities

Whether we're in the car, at a desk or on the couch, the majority of adults spend more time sitting than we do sleeping. This sedentary lifestyle is putting us at risk for heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other health issues. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is challenging Detroit employees to "stop the slump" for Employee Health and Fitness Month, dedicated to promoting workplace wellness throughout May.

In 2014, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy launched Live the Riverfront, a multi-year partnership to help Detroit employees get moving by offering free and low-cost fitness opportunities on the riverfront. Two years later, thousands of individuals have participated in Live the Riverfront programing.

Live the Riverfront programming runs from May to August and includes:

• Walk the RiverWalk Wednesdays: Each Wednesday, registered participants walk the Detroit RiverWalk on their lunch break, picking up giveaways along the way. To register, visit org/walktheriverwalkwednesdays.

• Free Tai Chi classes: Stop by Milliken State Park on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. to participate in a free Tai Chi class, no registration necessary.

• Free yoga classes: Join Urban Solace studio for Yoga on the Riverfront each Thursday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m. Participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga mats and water. No registration is necessary.

• Free Dequindre Cut boot camp: New this year, individuals can meet at the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Fit Park for a boot camp on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. The Fit Park is a free outdoor public workout space that features permanently installed equipment including parallel bars, pull-up bars, ab crunch, cardio stepper and more.
• Moonlight Yoga: In this unique twist on yoga classes, participants wear glowing jewelry and incorporate 16-inch lighted glow batons into traditional yoga poses. Due to its popularity in the first two years, there will be three moonlight yoga classes this summer throughout July and August. More details will be announced soon.

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Riverfront Run: This year's Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Riverfront Run will be held on June 11. Individuals can choose from a 5K or 10K race.  To register, visit detroitriverfrontrun.com.

For more details about this year's activities and events, visit detroitriverfront.org/livetheriverfront. If you've participated in past Live the Riverfront programming and have a story to share, email Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan at stories@bcbsm.com.