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Get Fit For Free at Bed-Stuy Nonprofit's Aerobics and Cooking Classes

 Bed-Stuy's Restoration Corporation and EmblemHealth are offering free fitness and cooking classes for one year at the Fulton Street plaza.
Bed-Stuy's Restoration Corporation and EmblemHealth are offering free fitness and cooking classes for one year at the Fulton Street plaza.
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Margot Jordan

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — Bed-Stuy’s Restoration Corporation is offering free fitness and cooking classes for a year to help residents improve their health.

The community organization hosts weekly hour-long total body conditioning classes, including aerobics and weightlifting, that are open to individuals of all fitness levels at 1368 Fulton St.

Fitness coach Nakisha Ross, founder of Always Fit 4 Life, leads the high-energy, outdoor classes on Mondays and Wednesdays. During a recent session, more than 140 people danced and stretched under a tent at Restoration Plaza.

“It’s all about having the best community possible, so we can raise our children to be healthy, do well in school and get good jobs,” said Tracey Capers, Restoration’s executive vice president for programs and organizational development.

Restoration Corporation launched the classes in late March in partnership with EmblemHealth. The only requirement for participants is to register online.

Attendees under 18 must fill out a parental consent form beforehand.

In addition to fitness, Restoration and EmblemHealth are offering free cooking demonstrations and community services to teach locals how to eat healthily on a budget. The locations of those classes are updated on EmblemHealth's website.

Residents also have the opportunity to sign up for the City Harvest Mobile Market, which gives out free produce biweekly.

The workshops are part of EmblemHealth’s citywide Small Steps initiative, which targets seven neighborhoods that lack access to wellness resources.

Classes are also offered in Flatbush, Jackson Heights, Canarsie, Chinatown, Port Richmond and Washington Heights.

For more information or to sign up, visit the EmblemHealth website.