Jeff Rogers, far right, leads a group in his traveling 'Pack the Park' workout session that came to Durand July 31. The next session is planned for Friday at 6 p.m. between the boat landing and Veteran's Memorial.Trainer Jeff Rogers, of Eau Claire, came to Durand July 31 to lead a 'Pack the Park' fitness session.

'Pack the Park' workout comes to Durand

 

As part of a fitness program at work, one local woman was introduced to a workout program that has now come to Durand.

Three years ago, trainer Jeff Rogers, of Eau Claire, started Pack the Park.

"It caught on fast," he said. 

Pack the Park is a 45 minute session held in parks around the area. 

"I started in Eau Claire, and expanded into Minneapolis and Chippewa Falls," Rogers said. "I've also done sessions in New York and Los Angeles."

Rogers has been doing in-home fitness, speaking, and various training for about six years. 

"My parents were always active and into health and fitness," he said. "Later in life I became fascinated with fitness, and started helping people with routines. I've made a couple of workout DVDs, and toured with Bon Iver to help them with fitness while on the road."

Rogers attended UW-Eau Claire, with the plans to be a physical education teacher. He ended up receiving certification from the National Exercise Trainers Association, and became his own boss.

When he started Pack the Park, he said he was interested in keeping it local and seeing what happened.

"I had dreamed of bigger cities, so when I was contacted to lead sessions in New York, it was exciting," he said. "The sessions filled up fast."

Rogers breaks the 45-minute session into four mini-sessions consisting of full-body, cardio, and core work. 

"I just keep it fun and energetic," Rogers said. "We constantly move, and do some ab exercises on the ground at the end before cooling down."

Rogers said the idea is that anyone can do the workout.

"These are moves you can do anytime, anywhere," he said. "Knee touches, standing crunches, and things like that. We also have modifications for less impact, so it's for all ages, fitness levels, and body types."

Currently, Rogers holds about four Pack the Park sessions per week, with three in Eau Claire and one in Strum. 

"I always change up the routines, but there's always full-body movement, cardio, and core work," he said. "I'll just change the routine and the playlist, and I keep it energetic and inspiring."

Rogers ran some fitness sessions in Eau Claire, which is where Durand resident Tammy Wegner became familiar with the program. 

"He started coming to the office to lead fitness sessions," she said. "When he branched off to do fitness in the Eau Claire community, I thought it would be a really good thing for the Durand community."

Wegner said she had mentioned it to Rogers a few months back, but really started to press him once she attended a Pack the Park session herself a few weeks back. 

"Between the sessions in Eau Claire and Strum, Jeff is a hard guy to get," Wegner said. "It's been a challenge to schedule a night for Pack the Park in Durand."

The first Pack the Park in Durand was held on July 31, between the boat landing and Veteran's Memorial by the river. Approximately 20 people attended the session. Rogers said the Eau Claire sessions average 35 to 50 people, and he gets around 20 to 25 in Strum.

"When I put out feelers, a lot of others were interested, but the date just didn't work out for them," Wegner said. "It's hard to find a night that meets everyone's needs. We hope to do this once a week."

When the weather turns cold, Pack the Park moves inside, to Jam the Gym. 

"We just need people to show up and support this," she said. "You can't typically find a personal workout session that only costs $5."

"Everyone did very well," Rogers said. "They were really focused."

Wegner said people can bring a yoga mat or towel for the core session at the end, and should bring water. She said they are looking at Friday evenings for future sessions, and the next Pack the Park is scheduled for this Friday, August 8, at 6 p.m., again by the boat landing.

"It is for both men and women of all ages," Wegner said. "Last week we had a couple of 13-year-old girls and the ages ranged up from there. It's for any fitness level. I work out on a regular basis, and there are parts of the session that I can make more challenging to meet my level."

Wegner said one comment she heard from the one male in attendance was that he could really feel it over the next few days. She said Pack the Park is a great opportunity.

"For some, it takes a group to get them motivated to be active," she said. "Jeff's personality makes it easy to get going. This is basic and simple, and a very easy way to be active."

Rogers has a workout DVD available, which he made with Bon Iver. A second DVD has been filmed, and will be released around Black Friday. 

"There's an awesome playlist on the DVD," he said. "It also includes really neat stories from people, and just goes back to showing anyone can do it."

Rogers said Pack the Park is a personal experience.

"It's fun for everyone," he said. "It's something new for people to try, and I get to work with new, refreshing people. It's fun and challenging."

More information about Jeff Rogers can be found at www.rogcity.com.

 
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