Golden Valley Woman Uses Signs to Encourage Circuit Training in Her Neighborhood
We all know the benefits of exercise. But sometimes, finding that motivation to get moving requires a little nudge.
“I have never walked,” said Catherine Mamer of Golden Valley. “I’m sure my dead husband is saying, what in the world is she doing? She never walked with me.”
Back in May, signs popped up along Cherokee Place in Golden Valley, encouraging people to get in a workout as they walked around the neighborhood.
“When I found the circuits about a month ago I was like, ooh, alright, let’s do it,” said Angela Barberg of Golden Valley.
Shortly after the signs were put up, a funny thing happened – people actually started exercising.
Circuit-training signs attracts regulars of all ages
“We have our regulars that come up,” said Judy Rathje of Golden Valley.
Rathje is the mastermind behind the circuits along Cherokee Place. The longtime resident wanted to do something to lift people’s spirits during the pandemic.
“I think it’s something in my genes,” she said. “I’ve been a teacher for 30 years, and the gratification that you can make by helping people.”
Since Rathje put up the signs, people of all ages come by nearly every day to do the various workouts listed on the lawns of people’s homes.
“I think it was just absolutely great,” said Mamer, one of the regulars. “And when it first started it said, “first month free.”
A group of ladies perform exercises along Cherokee Place in Golden Valley.
The good news for Mamer and the other regulars, is that this workout program doesn’t come with many overhead costs.
“That’s what I’m saying, you don’t have to pay for a subscription or a club membership,” said Christi Vind a Brooklyn Center who made her way to Golden Valley to do the circuits.
Membership in this exclusive club only requires that you set your inhibitions aside and get comfortable with the idea of jumping around in the middle of a street.
“Those inhibitions are, you know, lightened by exercise,” Rathje said.
The plan is to have the circuit signs up through the fall. If you want to try out the circuits, Rathje says people are welcome to come on down to the corner of Cherokee Place and Normandy Place in Golden Valley.
