The purpose of Tyler Henkle’s Day 50 50 initiative is to bring everyone together to benefit the community.
While he is running 50 miles around Jackson County on Saturday, the public can support several local businesses that have agreed to give a portion of their profits to a cause close to their hearts.
Another way he is connecting the community that day is through the 50 Hours of Fitness challenge.
At Seymour’s new fitness court at Crossroads Community Park, each of the five fitness gyms in the city — Anytime Fitness, CrossFit Seymour, Fitness 1440, Jordan’s Barbell Club and Snap Fitness — will have staff and club members working out from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
With each of the clubs going for 10 hours, it all adds up to 50 hours of fitness. The Fitted Foot is sponsoring the event and will provide water to the participants.
For the public, there will be activities at the park’s pavilion. That will include free yoga with Project You at 9 a.m., an open drum circle led by Joseph Bindschadler at 10 a.m., an open jam session at 11 a.m., live music by local musicians from noon to 8 p.m. and a tribute to Seymour native and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Mellencamp from 8 to 9 p.m.
Henkle said he was alarmed when he learned Jackson County has one of the highest obesity rates in the state because that means a large part of the population isn’t involved in fitness.
That led to him putting the challenge together.
“If this day, by participating in it, opens up parts of that market to those here who represent clubs that offer services that can help those individuals get off the couch and get into a gym or get here (at the fitness court) and make themselves healthier, I don’t see that as a bad thing,” Henkle said.
“I see that as something that is worth doing, that is worth coming together,” he said. “It’s all about just catching some people’s attention and redirecting it toward a healthier way of living and a healthier community in general.”
Each of the gyms has arranged times for their staff and members to be there Saturday. If some competitions happen between people that day, Henkle said that will make it even more fun.
“That’s kind of the idea: Work with each other to push each other a little more,” he said. “I think that’s going to be cool whenever people see that happening.”
On this day, it’s not about the gyms competing against each other to draw new members. It’s about coming together.
“We all have the common goal of getting people healthy, getting people active with their bodies and their minds,” said Katrina Hardwick with Snap Fitness. “I think this is a nice way to put aside being competing businesses and just know that we have that same common goal and we can all encourage everyone together.”
Corey Lynch with Anytime Fitness said it’s great that Henkle is bringing awareness to the different health-related issues plaguing the community and bringing the clubs together to help combat them.
“Any time that we have the opportunity as an organization to get behind something that is driving the community to a healthier place, then we’re all about it, whether it’s 5Ks or 50 hours of fitness,” he said.
Lynch said he doesn’t see the local gyms as competition because they all offer different services and have their own niche.
“I’m excited to see that all five of us are coming together to get behind one common cause,” he said.
Tara Johnson with Jordan’s Barbell Club said she’s glad to experience the energy and initiative Henkle has taken with this event and to be part of the positive message to the community.
“Seeing the next generation of adults in Seymour step up gives me a great deal of hope,” she said.
For five years, Johnson said her club has supported sports teams and Jackson County United Way initiatives. Adding the 50 Hours of Fitness to the mix goes along with her mission.
“We look forward to moving the workout out of the building and into the park for a fun day of fitness,” she said. “I hope that seeing our friends and fellow fitness enthusiasts utilizing the park will be a fitting demonstration that fitness knows no size, skill level, income or background. Everyone can use the space.
“While I think we would all advocate for coaching to ensure safety and efficacy, this park is a tool to ensure that you don’t have to pay for a membership to find your fit,” she said. “We will all gather to prove it Saturday.”
RaeAnn Mellencamp with CrossFit Seymour said it’s going to be a very productive day with the gyms collaborating and becoming one.
“And then also just to teach our community what good health looks like — it can be fun, it can be outside, inside, next to the train tracks and still be reaching your goals,” she said. “We’re honored to be a part of it and can’t thank Tyler enough for bringing this all to life. We’re excited to be here and knock out 10 hours of fitness.”
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Day 50 50 schedule
8 a.m. to 6 p.m.: 50 Hours of Fitness challenge involving Anytime Fitness, CrossFit Seymour, Fitness 1440, Jordan’s Barbell Club and Snap Fitness staff and club members at the fitness court
9 a.m.: Free yoga with Project You
10 a.m.: Open drum circle led by Joseph Bindschadler
11 a.m.: Open jam session
Noon to 8 p.m.: Live music by local musicians (performers to be announced; if you are interested in performing, contact Tyler Henkle via Facebook)
8 to 9 p.m.: Tribute to John Mellencamp
All events are at Crossroads Community Park in the 100 block of East Tipton Street in downtown Seymour and are free to the public.
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These Seymour businesses will donate a portion of their profits Saturday or donate a certain amount of money for every mile Tyler Henkle runs that day to a local organization.
Business;Benefiting organization
Beautiful Chaos;TBA
The Brooklyn Pizza Co.;Red Sky Rescue
Bubba’s Place;Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry
Carpet Gallery;Girls Inc. of Jackson County
Chillicen;Red Sky Rescue
Chelsea Burrell-Real Estate;Boys & Girls Club of Seymour
Color Pro Painting;Boys & Girls Club of Seymour
Family Video;Anchor House Family Assistance Center and Pantry
The Fish Stand;Boys & Girls Club of Seymour
The Herbal Alternative;Todd’s Place
Java Joint;Trinity Lutheran High School
Jim’s Body Shop;Reins to Recovery Inc. Therapeutic Riding Center
Joray’s Billiards;Love More
The Seymour Brewing Co.;Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southeast Indiana
Speedy Shred;Seymour Noon Lions Club
Westwind Sign Co.;Community Provisions of Jackson County Inc.
Seymour Eye Clinic;St. Ambrose Catholic School
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