The first annual Fit Crawl on Saturday had 38 "crawlers" ride bicycles to five locations for a 20-minute preview of different fitness methods. Downtown locations included Pipeworks for rock climbing, Fleet Feet to learn about proper running shoes and technique, Ultimate Fitness for in-ring training and bag work, Asha Yoga to try the styles of yoga and Bodytribe, for a fresh take on fitness training.

The Crawl was put on by the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness, and sponsored by PepsiCo.  The $35 ticket included bike rental, loaned from Bikes and Bites.  The Wellness Task Force, in existence since 2002, focuses on fitness and nutrition in schools and the workplace.

Executive director Leah Cox said, "We do it to help people be social, get out there and meet and be active. (Additionally) it helps local businesses. When we get to work with schools and businesses, people directly, it charges us up." She added that the idea behind the Fit Crawl stemmed from similar events such as downtown's Pub Crawls and a fund-raising event involving restaurants called the Food Crawl.

Fit Crawl members appeared nervous before taking off. But just one facility into the five-facility, four-hour program, it was obvious the participants were enjoying themselves.

The following is a photo journal of the event:



Fit Crawlers gather for a quick introduction and welcome. Crawlers were placed into groups, each with a team leader.



One group learning footwork and dodging techniques from mixed martial arts instructor Kenneth Alexander of Ultimate Fitness.



A few ladies using their recently learned punch-and-kick combinations on the bags.



One group heading off to the next location.



Practicing one of many yoga poses.



Once the breathing techniques, meditation and beginning yoga were mastered, this group began to learn more advanced "yogi" poses.



At BodyTribe, warming up with some pushup/side-plank variations.



Later, the groups at BodyTribe practiced slamming tires. Trainer Chip Conrad told the group, "We (at BodyTribe) like to keep it entertaining."



The sweet ride donated by Performance Bikes. The black Fuji Del Rey bicycle was the raffle prize open to Fit Crawl participants.

Fit Crawl participants received specials from participating facilities. Cox, also a team leader during the day, said the Fit Crawl is scheduled to be an annual event. Judging by the overwhelmingly positive feedback, the Wellness Task Force may schedule more Fit Crawl events. For more information on the Wellness Task Force, visit their website.