Fitness instructor Jeremy Dixon knows the power of a quick workout.

"It might only be a 10-minute walk, but if I don't do something physically active, I'm a much different person," he said with a laugh. "And quite honestly, I'm a much less pleasant person to be around."

Dixon and his wife moved to the area at the beginning of 2020. With no family nearby, no friends and virtually zero opportunities to meet new people thanks to the pandemic, Dixon eventually found himself at a local group fitness gym.

Being naturally charismatic, Dixon was soon hyping up other classmates and quickly caught the attention of the coaches who encouraged him to become an instructor by earning a certificate from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Soon after, Dixon started teaching weight training and high-intensity interval training through Eugene Recreation at Echo Hollow Pool & Fitness Center.

Tom Powers, a Recreation programmer, said those two levy-funded classes are perfect additions to the slate of health and fitness programs offered by the City.

"The City does a great job of providing easily accessible health and fitness opportunities to people just starting their journey," he said, "from those with casual goals to older adults who are largely underserved by larger gyms."

Lifting weights, and classes like HIIT, play a direct role in improving peoples' mental health, Powers said. The National Recreation and Parks Association found that 93% of U.S. adults say their mental health is improved by services offered by local parks and recreation professionals and agencies, emphasizing the importance of socialization, exercise and nature.

What they might not expect is that their wallets are helped, too, Powers said.

"Health and fitness is cheaper than a six-pack of beer," Powers said, noting both classes taught by Dixon are free, thanks to the 2023 Eugene Parks & Rec Operations and Maintenance Levy. "Fitness helps prevent all kinds of chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, dementia, diabetes and Parkinson's."

In fact, a 2011 Seattle study discovered residents saved $64 million in medical costs as a result of physical activity is the city's parks and recreation system.

Dixon, for his part, is helping bring those benefits to Eugene, but knows there's a big hurdle for some: confidence.

People who are new to the gym, discouraged by their abilities or self-conscious often forgo the benefits of working out, assuming gyms are intimidating or only for those with natural gifts.

"People who don't feel capable of investing in themselves or who don't feel comfortable walking into large gyms can walk into a City facility," he said. "And once they do, they'll see five other people who look just like them and they feel like they belong."

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