Free, Fun and Fit: ‘Get Movin’ Family Fun Day’

Getting fit isn’t just good for you, it’s fun. To prove it, a is scheduled to take place this Saturday at the ProJet Aviation Hangar, located at the , from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Get Movin’ Family Fun Day”, a joint project of Inova Health System and the Washington Mystics, will feature a climbing wall, athletic camps and mini clinics, basketball hoops, an indoor and outdoor exercise area, and other entertainment. Fitness ambassadors from the Washington Mystics will also be on hand.

“Our players are the role models,” said Mystics Chief Operating Officer Greg Bibb. “It’s one thing for me to get up there and talk about healthy living. It’s a completely different message for a professional athlete who walks the walk and talks the talk.”

Chefs from Wegmans, Market Salamander and the Inova hospitals will demonstrate healthy cooking for adults while the Fun Bus will offer a variety of fitness activities for younger kids.The free events will “hyperfocus” on getting children active while moving and fighting obesity, Bibb said.

His partner at Inova, Vice President for Community Affairs Rod Williams, agreed. “Developing healthy communities is what we are doing," he said. "What you will see in this partnership, Inova has been working with the Mystics for more than a year, and earlier this year became a Marquee Sponsor, is the first step in how we want to go into these communities and promote education, fitness and nutrition. We believe we have the right partner.”

Inova “iPATH”, which stands for Inova Partnering Actively for Health, is already active in both Loudoun and Fairfax County school systems. Volunteer student ambassadors step forward to act as role models in making good decisions about health and fitness, and demonstrate the value to taking control of their own bodies. Often, athletes, including some of the Mystics, visit each school to talk about, and demonstrate, the fitness aspect to students.

Saturday's event is just another way to take charge of your family’s health, Williams said. Everyone will have the chance to be active while learning to live well by making healthy choices.

The first 500 people to sign in at the event will get an Inova/Washington Mystics backpack with one ticket to a 2012 Washington Mystics home basketball game. Everyone who registers will have a chance to win a Nintendo Wii gaming system and drawings for Radio Disney prize packs.

Participation is free but registration is requested. For more information or to register, go to www.washingtonmystics.com/getmoving