CLASSES

Join us for a fun and inclusive group class experience! Our instructors are expert facilitators and make sure everyone has the opportunity to participate in a meaningful way. Join us to explore fitness, find joy in movement, and meet friends through teamwork. Most of our group classes are open to both children and adults. Please check out our group class policies at the bottom of this page.

Social Club

Instructor: Mimi Washington

Time & Day: 5:30-8:00 pm

Course Dates:1st and 3rd Saturday of the month

5 Week Program Cost: $50 for members/ $75 for non-members

In this new program, teens and young adults will have the opportunity to learn and practice social skills in a fun and positive environment. Participants will engage in sports, crafts, fitness, and teambuilding games, with a focus on cooperation and interpersonal skills with peers. Each social night will have a theme (health and wellness, art, underwater, animals, etc.) We welcome participants ages 14 and up for our teen/young adult social club. This is a drop-off event. Pizza dinner will be provided.

About the Instructor: Mimi is the Chapter Coordinator for Rolling Thunder Special Needs Running Program in Connecticut. She is a certified Autism Fitness Instructor and certified USA Track and Field Coach. She has experience working as an ABA Home Instructor and ABA Trainer. She knows many of our members from collaborating on past track meets!

Rhythm & Dance

Instructor: Deb S.

Time & Day: Thursdays 5:30-6:00pm

Course Dates: September 5th-October 24th (8 weeks)

8 Week Program Cost: $200 + tax for members / $240 + tax for non-members

This class will consist of dance and rhythmic movement set to upbeat music. Participants will learn to move their bodies in rhythm to the music, while incorporating scarves and shakers. They will also get a good cardio workout! Parents are welcomed to participate with their child, although not required. Many of you may know Deb from her assistance with Cardio Dance Class.

Deb is a certified fitness and Zumba instructor, and full time Physician Assistant in Hospital Medicine and ICU care. Because of this work, she is specifically interested in fitness and preventative health strategies. “I don’t just THINK that physical activity helps you live better, I KNOW it does!”

Yoga Group Class

Instructor: Deb Sceppa

Time & Day: Thursdays 5:00-5:30pm

Course Dates: September 5th- October 24th (8 weeks)

8 Week Program Cost: $200 + tax for members / $240+ tax for non-members

The class will consist of general yoga designed to relax, unwind and connect with your inner self! Parents are welcomed to participate with their child, although not required.

United Striders Track Team

Instructor: Nadia W.

Time & Day: Tuesdays 4:15-5:00pm

Course Dates: September 17th-October 29 (7 weeks)

7 Week Program Cost: $210 + tax for members / $245 + tax for non-members

Location: High Plains Community Center

Striders Track team invites people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors through walking, jogging, and running. No previous experience is necessary because you will learn the mechanics and form of running. Events include short and long distance running, and we are also including walking as an event for those who prefer not to run! Participants will also engage in conditioning and agility drills and games. The goal of this class is to enjoy running or walking with friends and improve times across various distances.

Nadia is a Personal Trainer at the Fitness Center and a lifelong athlete. Coaching and training at the Fitness Center gives her an opportunity to share her interests in sports and fitness with people with special needs. Nadia holds her MS in speech-language pathology.

Cardio Dance

Instructor: Miriam M.

Time & Day: Wednesdays from 6:00-6:45 pm

Course Dates: Ongoing. Registration is for a series of 6 classes.

6 Week Program Cost: $180 + tax for members / $204 + tax for non-members

Calling all music and dance lovers! This class combines great music with choreographed dance. Miriam will lead students through basic steps that students will learn through repetition. Each week they’ll follow along with their routines. New songs are introduced throughout the class. This class is energizing, fun and will make you sweat!

Miriam has been a long time instructor at the Fitness Center. She loves sharing her love of dance with our members and has a knack for teaching dance moves to groups.

Sports Club

Instructor: Nadia W.

Time & Day: Mondays 5:30-6:00pm

Course Dates: Ongoing. Registration is for a series of 6 classes.

6 Week Program Cost: $150 + tax for members / $180 + tax for non-members

Sports Club is a great way to learn the basics and try a wide variety of sports. Each week participants will get the chance to rotate through several skill stations, then play a group game. We’ll practice basketball, football, floor hockey, volleyball and soccer.

Group Class Policies

Call or email the Fitness center to sign up.

Tuition balance is due one week before class starts.
There are no cancellations or refunds for classes if you are unable to attend. If the Fitness Center cancels a class, we will make every attempt to schedule a makeup class. When you register, class tuition holds your spot in the class series and we cannot accommodate makeups or refunds for any reason.
We will need a minimum of 3 participants in order to run each class.
Space is limited and class registration will be closed once capacity is met.
If you would like to try a single class before committing to the series we will prorate your first class so you can decide if you’d like to sign up for the rest of the series. Space pending.

Most of our group classes are available to adults and children, however participants must be able to follow group instruction. Our classes are group experiences and we cannot provide 1:1 assistance. All classes are well supported with volunteers and staff, though it may be necessary for some participants to attend class with a buddy (the buddy could be a parent, sibling, aid) who can best manage the safety of the individual. Examples of someone that may need a buddy may include running away from the group, self harm, or harming others, or not being able to follow any instruction in a group setting. It is up to the discretion of Autism Health & Fitness Center to determine if the member would be required to have a buddy in order to participate. This is to keep the member, their teammates, and staff safe and having fun.

All group classes will follow the latest CT Sector Guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19. The guidelines change as more is learned about transmission of the disease. All staff will be fully prepared for the latest guidance before classes start.

Masks are currently optional in our building and our programs. We do temperature screenings at the door. All class participants are required to wash their hands with soap and water upon entry.