Longboat's Paradise Center lets people sample new ways to sweat

Fit Fest was a chance for the community to try out TPC's various fitness programs.

By Lesley Dwyer
| 11:30 a.m. January 25, 2023

About 50 people attend FIt Fest at The Paradise Center on Tuesday.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

False alarm: Richard Simmons was not spotted in the parking lot of The Paradise Center on Tuesday morning. It was just CEO Suzy Brenner sporting a blue headband and rocking a Zumba class for Fit Fest.

From the street, Brenner leading Zumba looked a lot like an outdoor dance party, which wouldn’t be all that unusual for the center. The Paradise Center, in fact, is holding an actual dance party on Feb. 12 called Dancing Through the Decades, but this was a sampler of all the center’s exercise classes.

The studio is too small to hold the 50 people who showed up, so the instructors and students took over the parking lot.

Reuben Fernandez led the crowd through Tai Chi; Sandi Love followed up with a Qi Gong session. And Debby Debile brought the zen with a gentle yoga flow.

“It’s a great way for the community to get a taste of all our fitness programs,” Outreach Manager Donna Sharp Blaney said.

Fit Fest offered back-to-back classes for 15 minutes each. Normally, classes run an hour. TPC has a calendar on their website or call 383-6493 for more information.

CEO Suzy Brenner is also one of TPC's fitness instructors.

Deb McGillen and Sandi Love stretch. Love teaches Qi Gong at TPC.

Lisa Pappas and Michael Weiss sample the fitness classes at TPC on Tuesday morning.

Pam Elder uses a chair to balance during a modified pilates class.

TPC CEO Suzy Brenner leads the crowd through some stretches.

Debby Debile leads and Suzy Brenner follows along during a yoga class.

Debby Debile owns Feel Good Yoga & Massage and also teaches at The Paradise Center.

Debby Debile modified her yoga class so mats weren't needed in the parking lot.

Prospective students stretch before a brief meditation to end the class.

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.