The city’s parks are a playground for those looking to get fit. Here are some exercise groups near you.
Hit the trail
“We don’t ever push a specific pace on people.”
David Valle, one of the organizers of Run OC, emphasizes that variety in the group is key since participants run with friends as well as walk with their family and their dogs.
“I think running has really taken off within the community,” Valle says. “People are looking to get out and be healthy, and they found it’s an easy way to socialize with people and support each other.”
Clearly that message resonates, as Run OC has nearly 3,000 members. The group meets Wednesdays at the Starbucks at Cypress Village Shopping Center and usually goes about 4 miles.
“It helps me to be consistent, knowing I have that support. I really enjoy being a part of that community, and it helps me to continue healthy goals.”
Find them: meetup.com/run-oc and instagram.com/runoc
Dance party
“People who dance together stay together,” says Minh Sorci, who started teaching Zumba at Meadowood Park four years ago. Now she has a group of 100 people who come to her class as often as twice a week.
“Everyone is welcome here, and I offer a safe and fun environment for them to work out,” she says. “Every class feels like a party, but it’s a hard workout in disguise. You’ll be sore the next day. We only have one rule: Have fun.”
She’s proud of the community connection, pointing to three generations of women who attend her classes. Her participants have become their own Zumba family. “We celebrate special occasions together and support each other during difficult life events. Anyone, any gender and at any age can attend. We have people from 3 years old to 76 years old.”
Find her: zumba.com/p/minh-sorci/1871719
Get your kicks
Anousheh Ashouri played soccer in high school and during medical school. “I am a physician myself,” she says. “I do this as a recreational sport because I want to keep myself fit.”
Ashouri is the co-organizer of Irvine Pick-Up Soccer, a co-ed group for those looking for a safe and friendly atmosphere. Players meet twice a week at the Great Park to find community alongside their competitive play.
“It’s very important to stay active. I see it in my practice all the time that the patients are not taking care of themselves,” she says. “You have to have a healthy lifestyle. And I feel like Irvine residents do take their fitness seriously. The city is helping the people, and the people are actually helping themselves.”
Find them: Instagram.com/irvinesoccerpickupgamesweekly
Pedal pushers
A former triathlete, Lynda Randall wanted to find a way to stay fit without cycling long distances or putting too much pressure on herself. She started Silver Spokes Women’s Cycling for women 50 and older who want to do leisurely rides together.
“I found this group for two purposes: One to stay active and to stay fit. And two, to socialize, meet new friends and just enjoy one another’s company.”
The group has 59 members and meets twice weekly at the Irvine City Hall parking lot for rides of 10 to 20 miles.
“What I love about the group is we’ve developed lovely friendships, and we support one another; we encourage one another,” Randall says. “We’re all different abilities, all different speeds, all different kinds of bikes. It’s a sense of teamwork.”
Find them: meetup.com/irvine-ca-cycling-meetup-group
Staying strong
“I’m definitely a better mom because I’m healthy and active,” says Samantha Merrifield, mother of four.
She and fellow mom Lindsay Svidergol teach six classes a week that combine strength training and cardio conditioning in their Be FIIT group at a park in Northpark.
With kids at three schools, Merrifield finds dropoff and pickups manageable because the schools are within a mile of each other.
“For me, exercise helps with anxiety and stress, and the social aspect is important, too,” Merrifield says. “Being around other moms is really helpful – having that community for support is invaluable.”
They recognize that fathers might benefit, too, and have added a co-ed class one weekend a month. The cost is $10 per class or unlimited classes for $85 a month.
Find them: instagram.com/befiit_irvine
