Every Monday morning, the activity room at the St. Tropez Recreation Center fills to capacity as dozens of residents kick off their week with an energetic workout through the Total Body Conditioning club.
The weekly group is led by co-organizers Lori Eastwood and Lori Davis, who both reside in the Village of Cason Hammock.
Lori Davis and Lori Eastwood, from left, founded the Total Body Conditioning club in The Villages.
Eastwood, originally from California, and Davis, an Ohio native with a background in teaching yoga, met after relocating to The Villages. The two quickly bonded and became friends, sharing an enthusiasm for daily health and fitness.
Eastwood and Davis created the conditioning group three years ago, initially launching the class at the Homestead Recreation Center before moving to the St. Tropez Recreation Center to accommodate growing interest.
Their goal from the outset was to create an accessible, well-rounded fitness regimen that engages the entire body. Each session incorporates a variety of movements, including light aerobics, resistance training with hand weights, push-ups, and floor mat work.
“We like to exercise daily, and we just felt like this was a good all-over body workout. It really is a total body workout. Aerobics, weights, mat work, push-ups; it’s everything you need,” said Eastwood.
The Villages Total Body Conditioning Club at the St. Tropez Recreation Center.
The group follows a rotating lineup of different instructional video routines displayed on screen, which feature professional trainers who provide guidance.
The Loris emphasize that the club is completely open to both men and women of all physical fitness levels. Participants are encouraged to move at their own comfort level, take rest breaks whenever necessary, and modify exercises to fit their personal mobility.
“No judgment. You do what you can. Just getting everybody moving, that’s the greatest thing about The Villages, is just how active we are,” said Davis.
For both leaders, the infectious group camaraderie and shared motivation are what keep residents coming back week after week.
The club’s popularity has surged in recent months, driven largely by word of mouth across the southern half of The Villages. Monday’s session set a new milestone for the group, reaching a record turnout of over 40 participants and hitting the room’s maximum capacity.
Demand has become so strong that some attendees arrived up to an hour and a half before start time to guarantee a spot on the floor, while organizers regularly receive inquiries from new residents hoping to join.
The Total Body Conditioning club meets every Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the St. Tropez Recreation Center. Participants should bring their own exercise mat and water.
Have you taken part in the Total Body Conditioning club at St. Tropaz, or do you have a favorite group workout routine in The Villages? Share your experience in a comment below or submit a letter to the editor.
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