Studio's fitness challenge will benefit Riley Hospital for Children

Yer Studio in Bloomfield is offering people a chance to get fit, and also donate to charity at the same time.

Sammie Sparks and her husband, Sawyer Sparks, owner of Soy-Yer Dough, announced they will be hosting a 60-day fitness challenge, with the weigh-in being Oct. 19.

The $20 registration fee from each participant will go directly to Riley Hospital for Children, Sawyer Sparks said.

Riley Hospital for Children is a pediatric hospital, located in Indianapolis.

"Riley will be keeping the records, we (Yer Studio) are just hosting it," Sammie Sparks explained.

Sparks and her husband were looking for some kind of fitness challenge, and they wanted all of the proceeds to be donated to charity.

"We were working with (Bloomfield High School volleyball coach) Susie Schulte, and she had worked with Riley before. She gave us the idea to work with Riley," Sparks explained.

Participants in the challenge do not have to be members of the fitness club, as it is open to the public.

The challenge will be based on weight loss percentage, and the top six will receive prizes.

The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of $500, on behalf of Yer Studio and Soy-Yer Dough, and other winners will receive fitness packages.

"I think it is really important that all the money go to charity," Sparks added, noting the cash prize will come from the two businesses and not the entry fee.

Sparks said she believes if people pay to be a part of the challenge, it will make them push harder rather than if it were a free challenge. Also, participants will know they are donating to a worthy cause.

"You weigh in on Dec. 19, and you can feel good when you go to eat at Christmas," Sammie Sparks said.

Yer Studio will be doing various charitable events in the future. Sparks noted each event will benefit a different charity.

Yer Studio is located at 30 North Washington, just behind the Chinese restaurant on the square. The dance and fitness center opened Monday, Sept. 12.

"We are close to 150 members and we have only been open for 24 days," Sparks said at the last Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce meeting, noting about 100 were in the dance classes and 50 were fitness.