Chicago Outdoor Fitness and Dance Festival promotes healthier lifestyle

CHICAGO (WGN) – It’s on Chicago’s Far South Side where you’ll find the movement to be your best.

It’s the second year for the Chicago Outdoor Fitness and Dance Festival, with the goal being to promote wellness on all fronts.

“This isn’t about fitness. This isn’t about dance. It’s about the overall health,” Jon Calhoun with Pit Fitness Development and Training said. “One, the mental health. There are a lot of components that go into mental health, and we believe that dance, movement and fitness help captivate that approach with a stronger mind and mentality for whatever goals you got going on.”

A Harvard study showed 15 minutes of running or walking a day cut the risk of major depression by 26%.

This festival looks to help by starting a healthier lifestyle while taking in the vibes of Chicago’s Far South Side.

“The importance of fitness, the importance of gathering together. Just a peaceful environment where we can celebrate each other and have fun,” Katrina Dillard of the Chicago Outdoor Fitness and Dance Festival said. “It opens up my heart meeting different people from the neighborhood, our elders. It really opens up my heart just to hear their stories and their background and how long they’ve been here and have never seen this before, so it’s amazing.”