Fitness group offers free workouts

It’s a flash mob of fitness.

Or at least that’s how it will look to early risers in Whitefish who see a large group of people sweating and moving on Tuesday mornings.

That group, Move 406, is thanks to Perrey Sobba and Amanda Person wanting a free way for people to stay healthy.

“The biggest reason we got why people don’t want to work out is cost,” Person said. “So we wanted to get this going for free. We do it early so people can go home and shower before work.”

Move 406 meets Tuesday mornings in Whitefish at 6:30 a.m. Where? That’s where the flash mob similarities come in.

“We announce where we are going to work out on our Facebook page on Mondays by 5 p.m.,” Person said, “which gives people enough time to plan on getting there.”

The surprise of the venue makes for a fun change of pace for the leaders and the participants.

Move 406 started June 9 with 15 people. Only a few weeks later, on June 30, that number had grown to nearly 40 at Whitefish’s Riverside Park.

Sobba and Person, pilates instructors at Exhale Pilates Studio, set up several stations for plyometrics and core workouts around the park, with dozens of people lunging, skipping and running between them.

Sobba, 19, said the free exercise program was inspired by a similar “pop-up” workout program she saw in the Boston area.

That program, the November Project, was founded as a free way to stay in shape during the chilly New England winter months. Move 406 is a spinoff because the two Pilates instructors didn’t think the market was big enough to support the November Project.

“They are in like 20 major cities and have sponsors and that sort of thing,” Sobba said. “They wanted to get people out and moving in the cold. I was always inspired by that idea. [Person] and I had talked about doing this for a year.”

Fitness-minded people and companies are looking into Move 406 and the group could soon find itself working with a local Crossfit company or running on the Danny On Trail. Pop-up workouts on weekends could be a possibility as well, and Sobba said Paddlefish sports had approached the group for a water excursion.

The group on Tuesday morning ranges from athletes to casual fitness enthusiasts to people simply looking to get in shape.

“We want people to be comfortable,” Person said. “If you can’t do the workout, that’s fine. Come and try. Come and watch. Bring friends.”

The warm weather has made for some pleasant morning temperatures to exercise in, but the group is looking to make a lasting impression and carry on into colder months.

Darcy Schellinger, a Whitefish resident, had her first experience Tuesday morning at Riverside Park.

“I’m surprised by the turnout,” she said. “It’s a really good workout and a good way to get up in the morning.”

The two said if the popularity continues to grow in Whitefish, an offshoot program in Kalispell could be on the horizon.

Move 406 is in the process of creating a website, so to find out more about the exercise program and where they will meet, check their Facebook page: Move 406.

“Whitefish is such a beautiful place and we wanted to do something selfless,” Person said. “It was kind of a no-brainer.”

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.