(Featured photo: A young tumbler takes a roll at the Little Gym of Mason). 

Family-Friendly 5Ks

Get the whole family motivated and moving by marking a fun 5K on the calendar!

THE HEART MINI MARATHON & WALK; MARCH 21 & 22
35 EAST SEVENTH ST. CINCINNATI, OH; WWW2.HEART.ORG
The kids can run their hearts out during the Kids Fun Run and anyone can sign up for the 5K walk/run, 15K run, 1/2 marathon; 1K Steps for Stroke; and head to the Health and Fitness Expo! However you decide to do it, know you’re getting healthier together and doing it for a good cause.

BOCKFEST 0.5K FUN RUN; MARCH 1; 3 P.M.
CHRISTIAN MOERLEIN BREWING COMPANY, 1621 MOORE ST. CINCINNATI, OH
OTRBREWERYDISTRICT.THUNDERTIX.COM
If a 5K is not your forte, this fun 0.5K will suffice! Start at the Bockfest Hall; and after running all 164 feet, receive a limited edition T-shirt, bottle opener, medal and tasty beer for the grownups; $30.

LEPRECHAUN LANE 5K; MARCH 8; 8 A.M.
VOA METROPARK, 7850 VOA PARK DR., WEST CHESTER, OH
BODIESRACECOMPANY.COM/CINCINNATI/LEPRECHAUN-LANE
If you’re feeling lucky, give this St. Patrick’s Day-themed fun run a try! Run/walk a 5K or 10K and watch the kids run for the gold in the free kids’ dash! Includes a designer shirt, custom medal, chip-timing, live results and awards, free photos, costumes, food and fun activities.

THE SHAMROCK SHUFFLE 5K/10K; MARCH 14; 9 A.M.
WEST CHESTER, OH; RUNSIGNUP.COM/RACE/OH/WESTCHESTER/SHAMROCK
Head to The Square at Union Center in West Chester, and join in on the Community Block Party, too! Proceeds support the Community Foundation’s Community Grants Fund and ongoing operations; register as a team through the Shuffle Gives Back program to support various non-profit organizations.

WORLD DOWN SYNDROME DAY 5K/10K; MARCH 29, 10 A.M.
DSAGC.SALSALABS.ORG/WDSD5K2020/INDEX.HTML; WINTON WOODS, 10245 WINTON ROAD, CINCINNATI, OH
World Down Syndrome Day is March 21, and you can help raise awareness by running either a 5K or 10K walk/run; kids can join in on the Kids Fun Run. Can’t make it but want to help? Participate in the Sleepy Sunday, walking and running not required – simply sign up, sleep in and get a race shirt (register by March 15 to guarantee a shirt).

Kids First Sports Mommy and Me Swim Lessons. Photo Credit Jorja Vornheder

Family Fitness

The perfect way to get kids active is to set an example; move as a family!

MAYERSON WELLNESS FAIR; MARCH 15, 1 – 3 P.M.; MAYERSON JCC
513-761-7500; 8485 RIDGE ROAD, CINCINNATI, OH
MAYERSONJCC.ORG/EVENT/HEALTHWELLNESS-FAIR2
Mayerson JCC offers fun fitness classes for the whole family, come celebrate at their wellness fair! This free event will have fitness demos and challenges, group exercise class samples, raffles and prizes, chair massages and more!

CROSSFIT KIDS ESF CROSSFIT
513-395-7872; 10800 READING ROAD UNIT D, EVENDALE, OH
ESFCINCY.COM/CROSSFIT-KIDS
CrossFit Kids is for ages 3 – 18; they will learn proper movement and good mechanics which all prevent sports injuries for your little athlete. These classes prove that exercise is beneficial to your kids’ cognitive function, too, leaving a positive impact on academic achievement. Your active kid will gain strength, and confidence!

YMCA OF GREATER CINCINNATI (VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN OHIO AND NKY)
MYY.ORG/PROGRAMS/HEALTH-WELLNESS/YOUTH-TEEN
The Y offers fitness classes for youth and adults! Members, ages 9-11, can use cardio equipment after completion of an orientation and while under direct supervision of a parent or an adult; and ages 12-15 who have completed Teen Fit orientation – learning safety, rules and regulations – can use the fitness center without a parent. Teens will learn the basic principles of nutrition, flexibility and major muscle groups, too!

FIVE SEASONS SPORTS CLUB
859-341-3687; 345 THOMAS MORE PKWY., CRESTVIEW HILLS, KY
FIVESEASONSSPORTSCLUB.COM/CINCINNATI/YOUTHKIDS-CLUB
A family-friendly sports club that features kids’ camps and child
care; classes for future athletes of all ages include Kids Fitness for ages 5 and older. Classes incorporate the perfect balance of fitness and engaging activities to help make exercise just plain fun!

KIDS FIRST SPORTS CENTER
513-489-7575; 7900 EAST KEMPER, CINCINNATI, OH
KIDSFIRSTSPORTS.COM
The ideal spot for your little active kid to put their skills to the test through one of their many interactive classes taught by top-notch instructors. From Yoga with Pooja to Tumble Bees; to Nishime Family Karate and Mommy and Me Swim Lessons, your kid will be exposed to a variety of activities.

CINCINNATI SPORTS CLUB
513-527-4000; 3950 RED BANK ROAD, CINCINNATI, OH
CINCINNATISCDEV.COM
Classes for ages 5 – 8; Juniors classes for ages 9 – 13; Teens classes for ages 13 – 16; and of course, Family Fitness Times for ages 9 – 14! CSC classes encourage activity in a group setting year-round. Kid and Junior Kids Cardio consists of kickboxing, jump rope, games and activities to keep your kids active and energetic; and Kids Yoga for ages 5 – 8 teach simple yoga postures mixed with fun; plus your active kid will love the interactive Kids Boot Camp.

LIFE TIME FITNESS
513-234-0660; DEERFIELD TOWNSHIP, 8310 WILKENS BLVD., MASON, OH
LIFETIME.LIFE
Kids classes are for ages 3 – 11; drop on in or choose a 10-week multilevel, developmental curriculum in dance, fitness, yoga or gymnastics. Kids Academy will keep your kid active and strong, and they’ll have a blast! Moms and dads, enjoy your workout, too, while the kids play – drop-in classes are held all day where littles can tumble, stretch, dance, play and learn about nutrition.

LITTLE GYM OF MASON
513-204-1400; 8201 ARBOR SQUARE, DRIVE, MASON, OH
THELITTLEGYM.COM/MASONOH
A place for kids to be kids, and grow and move. Parent/child classes start a strong foundation for ages 4 months – 3 years old (read on for more parent and me classes); and Pre-K Gymnastics (ages 3 – 6) to Grade School Gymnastics (ages 6 – 12) give kids the opportunity to tackle new obstacles. Then there is Sports Skills, Dance, Kindermusic and more!

KIDSTRONG 
(LOCATIONS IN MASON AND KENWOOD)
KIDSTRONG.COM
Kids can gain strength and build character. Kids train their bodies while having tons of fun with peers and following the slogan, “I am strong. I am brave. I can do this.” They will learn about the whole body and mind curriculum developed for 14 months – age 8.

Moms work out together at a Fit4Mom session in Central Cincinnati. Photo from Facebook.

Mommy and Me Fitness

Get active and bond with your baby and tot!

QUEEN CITY ZUMBINI; QUEENCITYZBINI.COM
Dance the day away with your little one! They will learn new movements through dancing, instruments and play. Classes held at LilyPad; Learning Through Play Cafe; Dance Concepts; and the MadCap Education Center; check website for upcoming classes.

KANGAMOVES BABY WEARING; QUEENCITYZBINI.COM/KANGAMOVES-REGISTRATION
Whether you’re ready to groove or take it easy, this class is for all levels, and know that safety comes first as you wear your tiny dancer close to you in your favorite baby carrier, Mom or Dad! For ages 6 weeks and older and a caregiver. Check their Facebook page for upcoming classes at facebook.com/queencityzbini.

FIT4MOM; CENTRALCINCINNATI.FIT4MOM.COM
Various locations throughout Greater Cincinnati including Kids First Sports Center and Liberty Towne Center; Stroller Barre, Stroller Strides and more! Classes moved indoors through the end of March then back outside this spring.

BURPEES AND BABIES
859-331-0979; GRIFFIN ELITE SPORTS AND WELLNESS CENTER, ERLANGER, KY
GRIFFINELITE.COM/BURPEES-AND-BABIES
Combine your mommy duties with a structured workout for you and Baby! Includes a 45-minute high intensity workout designed for you and your baby using bodyweight, resistance bands, soft weights, stroller sprints and more!

WEST CHESTER ACADEMY
513-454-7829; 8107 MARKET PLACE DRIVE, WEST CHESTER TOWNSHIP, OH
WESTCHESTERACADEMY.COM
Parent and Tot classes teach little ones creative body movement, range of motion and rhythm with their parent!

Outdoor Fitness

Grab the whole family and get active outdoors!

WASHINGTON PARK WEEKEND WORKOUT — FREE; SATURDAYS, STARTING MARCH 28
1230 ELM ST.; CINCINNATI, OH
WASHINGTONPARK.ORG/SERIES/WEEKEND-WORKOUT-5
Rotating fitness classes led by licensed Central Parkway YMCA instructors 9 – 10 a.m. on Saturdays. All skill- levels welcome! Check their Facebook page for weather updates and cancellations.

GREAT PARKS OF HAMILTON COUNTY OUTDOOR FITNESS SERIES
FARBACH-WERNER NATURE PRESERVE ELLENWOOD NATURE BARN, 3455 POOLE ROAD, COLERAIN TOWNSHIP, OH
GREATPARKS.ORG
Reduce stress, and just breath! These mixed-level classes are for yogis and newbies, ages 18 and older, taught by a certified instructor. Outdoor class moves indoors if rainy or cold; $10 per person, payable at the door. A valid motor vehicle permit is required to enter the park.

ST. ELIZABETH FITNESS COURT – FREE
LIVE WELL NEWPORT OUTDOOR FITNESS GYM, BUENA VISTA PARK, 12TH ST. (BETWEEN COLUMBIA ST. AND CENTRAL AVE.), NEWPORT, KY
Workout for free at this new outdoor gym! Students at nearby schools can use it, too! Do your own body weight circuit training using the nifty equipment or if you don’t know where to begin, download the free Fitness Court App to help track your training progress, learn new routines and compete in exciting fitness challenges!

ZIEGLER PARK – FREE
1322 SYCAMORE ST., CINCINNATI, OH
ZIEGLERPARK.ORG
Free pool access, climbing, a walking trail, playground and tons of opportunities for the family to get active outdoors. Check the 2020 spring schedule on the website for information on programs such as swim lessons, workout classes and summer camp for kids.

WELLNESS ON THE LEVEE – FREE
NEWPORT ON THE LEVEE, 1 LEVEE WAY NEWPORT, KY
NEWPORTONTHELEVEE.COM/WELLNESS-ON-THE-LEVEE
Join in on Sunday’s from 4 – 5 p.m. for yoga classes lead by The Yoga Bar – it’s FREE! Grab a mat and find your zen in the Gallery Building located on the first floor (across from the AMC ticket booth) next to Claire’s.