Fit Camp serves Clovis, Portales

Staff Writer

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Haleigh Bird figures young or old, there’s never a bad time to get healthier. And there’s no reason to do it alone.

Staff photo:

Crystal Mondragon

Tiffany Chavez leads a fit camp group with shuttle runs on the football field at Leon Williams Stadium as Kimberly Calderon encourages the group.

The Portales resident struggled with weight throughout her life, and started eating better. But nutrition only went so far, so she started a fit camp to help herself and others on their fitness journeys. With help, she’s built a network that offers six different exercise opportunities a week in Clovis and Portales.

“It's a service to the community, to focus on at least 30 minutes of activity a day.” Bird said. “I loved the idea of working out together, I feel people can do more together.”

Bird runs her camp 6 p.m.-7 p.m. Mondays and Fridays; 5 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Greyhound Arena in Portales. Attendance, she said, has been as small as five and as large as 85.

The idea grew when Kimberly Calderon, who would travel to the Portales camp with her husband, worked with Bird to start a camp in Clovis. That camp is held 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the track of Leon Williams Stadium.

The Clovis camp, which started in January, has grown from one coach and five to 10 members to five coaches and 20 members.

“This fit camp is absolutely free.” Calderon said. “I want to help people to get fit and healthy.”

Calderon said she wanted to encourage people to get active and eliminate financial hurdles like fitness programs and gym memberships. Calderon and her coaches include routines such as, running stairs, frog jumps, lunges, crab walks, working on abs, shuttle runs, etc.

“It's mostly a core workout.” Calderon said.

Mina Malvaez has attended the fit camp since February of this year, and said she has lost 75 pounds between eating choices and more physical activity.

“I like the workouts, I love the coaches, they work us to the limits and I like getting my limits pushed.” Malvaez said.

Tammy Chavez, another fit camp member, has been attending fit camp for three months.

Chavez said she loves attending with her 8- and 5-year-olds, instead of them “being at home on tablets or phones.” Calderon suggests bringing children, so they can see their parents making healthy choices.

Chavez said her overall weight hasn’t dropped, but she has lost 4 to 5 inches on her waist.

Jacob Eilenstine and fiancé Tiffany Chavez became part of the fit camp group four months ago to help Calderon with exercise routines and alternate nights.

“We want to promote a healthier life style at no cost for people, if people do want to start a healthier nutrition we have that option as well but it's not a requirement.” Eilenstine said.

There is no listed age limit, and participants have ranged from 15 to 54 years old. Calderon said she is still looking for an indoor location during the winter months.