Workouts for all Skill Levels Now Offered 3 Times a Week

Participants Required to Preregister and Follow COVID-19 Protocols 

RoAnn Destito, New York State Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner, today announced the popular summer program, Fitness at the Plaza presented by Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, will be held in West Capitol Park. The free, hour-long workout classes start at 5 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays and run from June 1 through August 30.

Health and safety protocols aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 will require participants to preregister at www.empirestateplaza.ny.gov for the workout classes and follow social distance guidelines. Unlike previous years, walk-ins will not be permitted to join the classes.

 “We are excited to announce our free, post-workday exercise program, which has been helping people keep fit at the Empire State Plaza for several years, will now be held in the park outside our majestic state Capitol,” Commissioner Destito said. “This new, more spacious site, along with the addition of Monday classes, will give more people the opportunity to work out while maintaining a safe distance from others. Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York has been a generous sponsor of healthy activities at the Plaza, and we are grateful for their continued support of Fitness at the Plaza.”

“As a community-based, not-for-profit health plan, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York is proud to bring free in-person fitness classes back this summer,” said Keith Dolan Regional Executive, Highmark Blue Shield of Northeastern New York. “Exercising outdoors is a positive healthy outlet for individuals in our community to focus on their physical and mental health at a time when it’s more important than ever.”

Fitness at the Plaza classes are open to individuals of all ages, regardless of fitness level or experience. The classes will be held outside from 5 to 6 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, weather permitting, in West Capitol Park, between the Capitol and South Swan Street. The rain location will be in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. There will be no classes held the week of July 4.

Classes

Mondays – Zumba with Anzala from Three Six Nine Fit Zumba: Zumba combines cardio, muscle conditioning, and a mix of low- and high-intensity dance moves for a fun fitness program. Zumba is a great way to get a total body workout while dancing to Latin and other international rhythms. Participants will enjoy a calorie-burning workout led by Anzala who is full of energy and transforms the classes into a dance party.

Tuesdays – Core Flow with The Hot Yoga Spot: Core Flow is an all-levels yoga class featuring sequences tied together with one common thread – the use of the core (the body’s center of strength and power). Core Flow yoga targets and strengthens the muscles associated with the center of the body. The combination of strengthening poses with flowing movement makes this a great way to build heat and strength throughout the body.

Thursdays – Bootcamp At The Plaza: This is a fun fitness class designed to be challenging for participants of all fitness levels. Strengthen and lengthen every muscle in the body by combining core intervals with traditional movements from barre, HIIT, yoga, ballet, sports conditioning, Pilates, and more. This class features upbeat music and follows a vigorous pace to pump people up and slim them down. No prior workout experience is needed.

Health Protocols for COVID-19

Under the current COVID-19 health protocols for Fitness at the Plaza, which are subject to change as the public health conditions change:

• All participants will sign and date a sign-in sheet attesting that the answer is “No” to all the COVID-related screening questions that appear on the sign-in sheet.  People unable to answer no to all questions will not be allowed to participate. People can read the questions ahead of time at www.empirestateplaza.ny.gov.
• Classes are capped at 90 participants.
• Pre-registration is required, and walk-in participants will not be permitted.
• Participants must bring their own exercise mats, water bottles, and towels. No equipment will be provided.
• Participants will be required to wear face coverings unless they are on their exercise mats for an outdoor workout and socially distanced from others.
• Participants will be required to wear face coverings at all times if a class is moved indoors due to inclement weather.
• OGS will mark socially distant spaces for exercise mats before each class.
• OGS will provide a hand sanitizing station.