You know you live on Mercer Island when your fellow community members are planning to celebrate Father’s Day together with a “steps and reps” workout in Mercerdale Park.

Given our numerous fitness outlets for a relatively small community, islanders prioritize health and wellness, and fitness is a social activity.  The 3rd annual Steps & Reps Family Sweat Session that takes place in Mercerdale Park on Father’s Day, June 18th, 2017, is exactly how many of us would like to start off the special day together.

The workout is also a remembrance and celebration of the life of Joey Abramson, a Mercer Island community member and father of four, who was passionate about fitness. The event was created in his honor in 2015.
From the Steps & Reps website:

One of Joey’s favorite pastimes was spending time climbing the Mercerdale Park stairs with friends.  In that spirit, Steps & Reps is held every Father’s Day in Mercerdale Park and on the Mercerdale Park Stairs, and is designed to bring families and community together to enjoy a fun workout in our beautiful park.

In fact, you may have noticed a plaque near the stairs that lead from Mercerdale Park up to the First Hill neighborhood. It reads:  “There is no elevator to success. You have to take the stairs. Honoring the life of Joey Abramson, who lived to run these stairs.”

The workout (designed for all ages and fitness levels) will take place on Sunday from 8:45 to 11 am. It will be lead by professional trainers from MI Athletic Club and Renew Fitness and consists of a brisk walk/run up and down the Mercerdale Park stairs and heart-pumping boot-camp style exercises on the Mercerdale Park field.

Participants are invited immediately after the workout to a Push Ups, Planks & Pull Ups! Competition on the Mercerdale Park fitness equipment for a chance to win fabulous prizes.

Your registration also helps support local parks. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to the Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Department in support of the purchase a new piece of outdoor fitness equipment for one of our Mercer Island parks.  Registration fee is $20/adult; $5/child. Additional donations are greatly appreciated.

Please note: All participants must pre-register for the Steps & Reps Family Sweat Session and the Push Ups, Planks & Pull Ups! Competition (limit one competition per participant). The Steps & Reps workout is limited to the first 100 registrants.

The event is co-hosted by Renew Fitness, Mercer Island Athletic Club and the Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Department.

Learn more and register at www.stepsandreps.com.  Mercerdale Park is located at 77th Ave SE and SE 32nd St.

Photo credit:  Steps & Reps