Category: Fitness

Books & Cooks is a seven-week literacy and nutrition program for select children enrolled in the New Worlds Reading Initiative and their families. Participating families will go home with free books and meal kits each week! Sign up for the New Worlds Reading Initiative or contact your local Books and Cooks educator at jesa13c@ufl.edu for more information.

The City of Winter Haven offers a variety of classes at the Chain of Lakes Complex, including Ballet for ages 8-13, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Judo, Belly Dancing, Dog Obedience, Badminton, Ballroom Dancing, and more. Visit the Parks & Recreation website for full details.

Bartow Parks & Recreation offers youth tennis lessons, youth basketball leagues, camps for youth, as well as adult basketball and fitness programs.

The Coleman-Bush Building is a multi-purpose facility with attractive amenities including several rooms serving as rental space, meeting rooms, classrooms and a dance studio. This building is a fitting location for a wide range of events including weddings, receptions, reunions and many other types of gatherings. A variety of classes and programs are offered for children and adults, including dance, martial arts, tutoring, piano, and more. Visit the website for a full list of activities.

Gandy Pool features a 10 lane, 25-yard short course heated pool with one-meter diving board and a 3-4 foot deep recreation pool. A handicap ramp at 0-depth and a hydraulic handicap lift chair is provided.

DAYS OPEN: Gandy Pool is open year round, hours vary by season, visit the website for more information.
ADMISSION: $4 per person/visit OR 20 visit pass for $40. Semi-Annual or Annual Activity Pass also available.

Kelly Recreation Complex is a 30,000+ square foot facility that provides a variety of features and offers the residents of Lakeland (and visitors) access to a diverse selection of recreation activities. Programs offered at Kelly Rec include pre-ballet for kids, adult dance classes (latin, swing, belly dance, line dance, salsa), martial arts, basketball, chess, sewing, guitar, etiquette, and more.

Simpson Park Community Center Features: Two (2) multipurpose rooms, Game room, Kitchen, Separate men’s & women’s weight rooms, Study hall facility, Computer center, Spacious gymnasium which houses two full-size basketball courts, Tennis court, Two (2) basketball courts, Playground, Softball field.

This indoor/outdoor facility allows the Parks and Recreation Department the opportunity to provide comprehensive recreation programming to suit the varied needs and interests of the North Lakeland Community. Instructional classes, sports leagues, recreational play, fitness and special event programming ensure constant activities.

Simpson Park Pool is also located at the Community Center and is open seasonally from late Spring through early Fall.

For over 50 years, the YMCA has been the only cause-driven wellness center in our area to offer programming for the whole family that focuses on the spirit, mind and body. At the YMCA we are more than a gym…we are a FAMILY! Facilities include: a weight room, gym, fitness room, outdoor swimming pool, locker rooms, racquetball courts, a after-school care, and more.

With the help of our members, Just Move Winter Haven is raising the bar for fitness in the region. We have consciously created a space that offers a variety of custom fitness experiences. From Cross Training and functional training to Silver Sneakers and heart-rate monitored workouts,

The Lake Wales Family Recreation Center (formerly the Lake Wales YMCA, now operated by Lake Wales Parks & Recreation) includes a large pool, weight rooms, and other health facilities.

Lakeland Regional Health is Lakeland’s hospital and also offers many other services for your family’s health.

Some specific services for children + families include:

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Lakeland Regional Health is more than just a hospital. The LRH Physician Group provides care in over 20 specialties at convenient locations throughout Polk County. LRH is home to highly skilled OB-Gyn physicians, certified nurse midwives and a compassionate care team offering expert obstetric and gynecologic care in a comfortable, nurturing environment, located right at the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children.  They provide complete prenatal and birthing care from your pregnancy all the way through delivery.

Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children
With approximately 3,100 deliveries each year, Lakeland Regional Health is experienced in welcoming babies into the world. The Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children with its contemporary design and state-of-the-art technology, is why Lakeland Regional Health is your ideal childbirth destination. Take a virtual tour of the Pavilion or sign up for a free Labor & Delivery Tour to take a closer look at their rooms and services.

Children’s Emergency Department + Pediatric ICU
You’ll also find a dedicated Children’s Emergency Department and Pediatric ICU at the hospital. They also offer classes for childbirth, nursing, and caring for a newborn.

Pediatricians
LRH is home to multiple board-certified pediatricians and board-certified nurse practitioners (APRN) who provide care in Lakeland and Winter Haven. LRH partners with Nemours Children’s Health System pediatric specialists.

Center for Fetal Care
For women with a high-risk pregnancy or other underlying conditions, the Center for Fetal Care provides specialized evaluations and consultations. They use advanced technology and testing to give you peace of mind and to achieve the best possible outcome for both you and your baby.

Classes for New Parents
LRH offers a variety of classes for soon-to-be parents and those planning to become pregnant. Class topics include: Breastfeeding, Newborn Care, Prepared Childbirth, and New Parent 101. Click here to see upcoming classes.

See our articles about Lakeland Regional Health.

The Lakeland Runners Club promotes running and fitness for runners of all ages and abilities in the community. LRC’s activities include races of varying distance and difficulty, weekly community group runs, free youth running initiatives, and training programs that provide motivation and knowledge to set and achieve personal goals.

The LRC Kids Run Club is a running club for children to prepare them for a lifetime of running. The program is held weekly during the school year, is gender-neutral, and is designed for children in kindergarten through fifth grade, regardless of school affiliation. The emphasis of this program is on participation and developing a healthy lifestyle as opposed to being a competitive running program. The workouts include warmups, relays, distance runs, games, and stretching. Parents are required to stay on site for the entirety of the kids program.

The Middle School Development Program is held during the summer and is open to anyone in 5th through 8th grade regardless of school affiliation or ability level. The program is ideal for athletes looking to prepare for cross country, cross-train for another sport, or begin running for the first time.

Visit website for weekly schedules and upcoming races.

Yoga classes are taught 7 days a week in a warm and welcoming environment. Various styles of yoga include flowing yoga, Iyengar-based, core power, therapeutic yoga, yoga barre, Aerial, and pre/postnatal yoga. In-depth yoga workshops are offered on a regular basis.

Sculpted Swan Fitness is a Reformer Pilates Studio in Lakeland offering private and semi-private (2-3 people) group classes. Our goal is to provide an enjoyable and unique fitness experience that utilizes safe and effective Pilates techniques to challenge, strengthen, and enhance the physical and mental well-being of all our clients.

The Balance Culture is a women’s fitness studio. We offer barre, yoga, pilates, Spin, kickboxing, bootycamp, stretch, HIIT-Yoga and beginner classes! We also offer private sessions, health coaching, and community events.

The UF/IFAS Extension Polk County provides educational programs to residents in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Horticulture, Family & Consumer Sciences, and 4-H. Citizens find answers in a diversity of topic areas, from lowering doctor visit frequency through better nutrition and physical activity, to planting a low water-use Florida yard, to protecting commercial fruit from pests and diseases.

Ultimate Dance Center (UDC), bringing you the BEST in DANCE since 2016, offers a standard of excellence in dance education that is for EVERYONE, all ages, all levels. UDC offers a diverse array of dance styles under one roof. We offer opportunities with a variety of styles for ALL ages 2 – Adult and levels of experience that the whole family can enjoy.

We offer: Personal Training (we’ll help you to develop positive habits including a science-based approach to nutrition and wellness), Small Group Classes (one-hour group class with attentive coaches, designed to improve strength, mobility and endurance), and nutrition support.

Warrior Combat and Fitness Academy’s after school program is a safe, fun, bully-free environment. We create a safe place to belong where children are introduced to the best version of themselves.  Your child will be picked up from their school and brought to our location where they will have homework time and snack time. Warrior Combat and Fitness also offers evening classes in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for kids and adults.

One of the largest medical clinics in the southeast, Watson Clinic LLP features over 220 board-certified physicians practicing 40 specialties in 19 convenient locations throughout Lakeland and surrounding communities. Visit our website for a full list of locations. Urgent Care and Walk In Clinics available at Highlands location and Main Clinic.

For over 50 years, the YMCA has been the only cause-driven wellness center in our area to offer programming for the whole family that focuses on the spirit, mind and body. Facilities include: a weight room, a gym for basketball and exercise classes, an indoor swimming pool, locker rooms, racquetball courts, a craft room, childcare facility, group exercise room, gymnastics center, and more. Programs include swim lessons, sports leagues for kids and adults, childcare, after school care, group fitness classes, and much more.

At Yoga Pointe we believe in challenging the body to balance the mind and emotions. In our signature heated classes and hot yoga, you’ll have a very motivating physical experience that will leave you physically and mentally detoxified. Expect to work hard, then experience a profound and healing catharsis. If your practice calls for a calmer pace, we also offer non-heated yoga classes to leave you feeling grounded and stress-free.