Generations of Flint families come together for fitness at Doyle-Ryder

FLINT, MI – It is uncommon for grandparents over 70 years old and children as young as four years old to be caught participating in a jumble of boxing, basketball, jump ropes, and agility drills with a rope ladder.

But that is exactly what happened on May 16 at Doyle-Ryder Elementary School and was the goal of Family Fitness Night.

Brought to the table by David Bush, community school director of Doyle-Ryder, and Dr. Natoya Coleman, the school’s principal, was a first of its kind event.

Although the school has put together numerous family fun nights, adding an element of fitness and working out a new initiative and goal to bring to students and their families.

Bush, who also coaches basketball at Mott Community College, said the event enables parents and their children to bond, spent some quality time together in a fun environment, and add a level of exercise into their lives.

In the two-hour long event, a circuit of fitness activities were scattered around the school.

Some of the activities were basketball drills, a series of punching bags for boxing, corn hole, a step dancing class by Levels Fitness Studio, and two mats where anyone could compete against each other in a push-up contest.

“It’s pretty cool. For one it helps (parents and children) bond,” said Lisa Spencer, who came with her granddaughter, Amaryah Spencer, 11. “It helps teaching them how to be fit and teaches them nutrition.”

The event also featured an inflatable bounce house and an inflatable obstacle course.

Outside the gymnasium were opportunities to receive a massage by Flint School of Therapeutic Massage, informational opportunities to learn about the Crim Fitness Foundation, Genesee Health Plan and Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services.

Bush said he hopes families can come away from this event with a better understanding that children and adults can have fun together.

It doesn’t always need to be kids with kids or adults going out to have fun, he said adding that it can be experienced by both at the same time.