Paris, France will be buzzing with Olympic athletes this summer, but don’t worry about missing your shot at the podium. Here in Savannah, there are tons of ways to get active, embrace your inner champion, and prioritize your wellbeing. Here, we discover resources that will make you feel like a winner on your own personal health and wellness journey.
Why is Staying Healthy Challenging in Some States?
Staying healthy can be tough in some states, especially when you consider things like chronic illness, unhealthy habits, a lack of healthy options, and substance abuse. A 2024 Forbes Advisor study looked at all 50 states and found Georgia isn’t exactly topping the charts for health.
What Are Local Experts Saying?
Coach TT, owner of Pressure Health and Fitness, who is certified in personal training and nutrition by the International Sports Sciences Association, started her health and wellness journey in 2018. “My family really had some health challenges. I had a sister diagnosed with lupus at an early age. A lot of the women in my family suffered from thyroid issues. It really pushed me to just want to take care of my body more,” said Coach TT.
This was similar for Natasha Federico, a former athlete, certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and co-owner of Renaissance Fitness, who noticed a pattern of health challenges in herself and her family. “I have PCOS [polycystic ovary syndrome], and doctors only know how to maintain it. My mom dealt with it, and we noticed thyroid problems. My mom was an EMS and paramedic and has always been in the health and medical industry, and we did a lot of research on some of the problems and ways to be better,” said Federico.
How Does Georgia Rank in Health?
Diving into the data, Georgia’s score of 61.9 [100 being the least healthy; 0 being the most] on the Forbes Advisor health ranking is reflected in higher rates of chronic conditions. Heart disease seems to be a particular concern, with around 185 deaths per 100,000 residents. Additionally, more than 11 percent of Georgia adults have diabetes.
What Are the Benefits of Physical Activity?
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for noncommunicable disease mortality. People who are insufficiently active have a 20 to 30 percent increased risk of death compared to people who are sufficiently active. “I want people to look at the physical and nutrition sides, but nothing is going to work the same across the board. The chemistry and mechanics of your body are different from mine and everyone else,” said Federico.
While there is no one size fits all, one thing is for sure: regular physical activity, such as walking, cycling, wheeling, doing sports, or engaging in active recreation, provides significant benefits for health. Some physical activity is better than doing none.
What Are Some Tips for Staying Active at Home?
Maybe you are not ready for the gym just yet, or are not able to go. The World Health Organization (WHO) has provided some simple tips to help keep as active as possible at home. These include the following:
- Online fitness classes
- Dancing for a few minutes
- Walking up and down stairs
- Playing active video games
- Working out with a jump rope
- Stretching
- Doing muscle strength exercises
- Doing balance training exercises
How to Get Started with Fitness in Savannah?
With a variety of public and private gyms nearby, getting started with fitness is easy in Savannah. But before you jump in, take some time to prepare. Understanding your body’s limitations and strengths, familiarizing yourself with the equipment, and setting clear goals will maximize your workouts and help you reach your fitness aspirations. “There are Google and YouTube. You can learn a lot about the body and how to properly do things. For example, how to workout a certain body part. You don’t want to start lifting weights by doing things that can lead to injury. You want to build goals that will work for you,” said Roberts.
What Are Some Outdoor Activities in Savannah?
Even if you are still skipping the gym, Savannah and Chatham County have plenty of parks to use, like Forsyth Park, Daffin, Laker Mayer, and more. Jordan said she enjoys being outdoors when working out. “Immersing yourself in nature is also really good for mental health. Get out of the buildings and away from the electronics sometimes. It’s a great stress-reliever. It kind of gives you a mental break, too. It’s hard to think about something for a long time when you’re outside running; it’s kind of like a meditation,” said Jordan.
According to the American Psychological Association, spending time in nature is linked to both cognitive benefits and improvements in mood, mental health, and emotional well-being.
What Are the WHO Recommendations for Physical Activity?
According to WHO, children and adolescents aged five to 17 should do at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity, mostly aerobic physical activity, across the week. Adults aged 18 to 64 years should do at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, or at least 75–150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity throughout the week.
What Are Some Local Resources for Staying Active?
Another resource for residents seeking to improve their health is Healthy Savannah. This community-driven organization fosters a culture of wellness by implementing policies and environmental changes that promote healthy living. Their collaborative efforts, involving more than 200 partner organizations, focus on creating equitable access to nutritious food and promoting opportunities for physical activity. Through this comprehensive approach, Healthy Savannah strives to make Savannah a healthier place to live and work.
What Are Some Summer Activities Offered by the City of Savannah?
The City of Savannah Recreation and Leisure Services will offer several athletic opportunities for youth and adults this summer.
Above the Violence Friday Night Hoops
For the first time, the City will host a 3-on-3 basketball league for adults ages 18 to 24 in honor of Coach Roscoe “Scolo” Edwards. The Above the Violence Friday Night Hoops season will be a one-weekend tournament on July 12. The 3-v-3 tournament is free and open to ages 18 and over. Team registration is required by July 8. To register, call (912) 351-3852 or email [email protected].
Summer Basketball
Every Friday and Saturday from June 7 to July 27, Summer Basketball will welcome teens 12 to 18 at the Grant Gym, 122 West St. and Eastside Gym, 415 Goebel Ave. Ages 12 to 15 will compete from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Afterwards, ages 16 to 18 will compete from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Food, drinks, games, and activities will also be provided. Registration will take place on site.
For more summer activities and fun for kids and adults visit the city of Savannah website 100 Days of Summer.
Savannah Cultural Arts Center
The Savannah Cultural Arts Center has an abundance of classes and workshops throughout the summer. Including but not limited to hip-hop, ballet, jazz, and heel dancing. All classes take place at the Savannah Cultural Arts Center at 201 Montgomery St. Limited (paid) street parking is available near the SCAC. The closest parking garages are Liberty Parking Garage on Liberty and Montgomery and Robinson Parking Garage on Montgomery Street across from Chatham County Courthouse. There is an accessible drop-off area on Montgomery Street, and one accessible parking space next to the building on Turner Boulevard.
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