CHURCH FITNESS CENTERS ARE WHERE
WORKOUTS AND WORSHIP MEET

While religions may differ on things like doctrine and traditions, they mostly agree that you should care for your body by staying physically healthy, whether that is through the practice of yoga or fellowship on the basketball court. However, several Houston area churches have taken staying healthy to a new level by building fitness centers to rival any large gym, complete with climbing walls, weight rooms, sport courts and organized sports for toddlers and senior adults alike.

HOUSTON’S FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH

This mega church boasts approximately 20,000 square feet of gym space including two basketball and three racquetball courts, six bowling lanes, indoor kids play land, game room, fitness center and an indoor track. The fitness center, newly renovated this year, houses Matrix pin selected and plate loaded machines, treadmills, elliptical trainers, bikes, hand crank cycles, two Olympic benches, a squat rack and a free weight area. If navigating this alone isn’t your thing, they have nine certified personal trainers on staff to help. In addition to the offerings in the fitness center, the facility also hosts 16 group exercise classes including cardio, total body strength and stability, Pilates and perfect alignment, a yoga alternative.

“Because we desire to connect and be filled with the spirit of God, we use positive and encouraging music in our facility,” said fitness ministry associate Debbie Brown. “Some group classes also quote scripture during exercise and may have a devotion or prayer for the day.”

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN HOUSTON

FIT for LIFE is an all inclusive, Christ-centered recreational program that serves to create enthusiasm through wellness, fellowship, learning and fun. FIT has a state-of-the-art fitness center that includes a weight room containing Cybex strength training equipment, treadmills, stationary bikes, a stair stepper, a Precor All Motion Trainer and a Precor EFX elliptical trainer.

FIT also offers a wide variety of aerobics classes, such as low-impact, Pilates and yoga, as well as access to personal trainers. While the gym and aerobic classes are great, the unique feature of this facility will literally drive you up the wall. FIT’s 25-foot climbing wall and 12-foot boulder wall that cater to beginners and experts alike are hugely popular. Like many other mainstream gyms, FIT also offers spacious locker rooms, day lockers and towel service. Membership is open to the public with a $30 registration fee and a $35 monthly fee for individuals.

ST. MARTIN’S EPISCOPAL

This 27,000 square-foot facility includes a gym with basketball court, classrooms for group exercise, locker rooms, a walking track and a weight room with cardio equipment and weight machines with free weight area. The activity center is an extension of St. Martin’s and is a multi-functional gathering place for members and the greater community.

The facility provides educational programs and health activities that focus on strengthening the spiritual, physical and emotional wellbeing of children and adults. Among the large class offerings are tai chi, Pilates, Jazzercise, yoga and low-impact aerobics. In addition to these, the center also offers great alternatives for children, including ballet, gymnastics, karate, Legos, cooking, manners, art, woodworking, and drama and basketball clinics.

SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH

Second’s fitness facility, called the Family Life Center (FLC), is designed to encourage the church family to take care of their physical bodies through exercise and group sports.

“We really want to get people plugged into the community,” said Kristy Holidy. “You can get on a treadmill and not talk to anyone and that’s Ok, but we really want to get folks involved.” There is plenty to be involved in at the FLC. This huge facility boasts three basketball courts for league play and pick-up games, and three racquetball courts, as well as aerobics, Zumba, kickboxing, yoga and Pilates-based classes, indoor cycling and walking track, tons of Cybex machines, lounge areas, whirlpools, and dry saunas and steam rooms. Childcare is provided free of charge (twohour maximum).