Traverse City Record-Eagle

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  • Rhonda Brandt, in pink cap, leads a spinning class at Fitness Factor. Every other Saturday the class benefits a local charity. Record-Eagle/Jodee Taylor

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March 4, 2012

Spinners reach out with community giving

BY JODEE TAYLOR jtaylor@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — Every other Saturday, a group of exercisers gathers to spin and do good.

Rhonda Brandt, 54, a personal trainer working out of the Fitness Factor on Woodmere Avenue in Traverse City, leads the spinning class at 7 a.m. She asks that people bring whatever they can — cash, food, clothing — and the contributions are donated to charity.

"We had $215 and two big grocery bags of food we gathered over two Saturdays that we just gave to Father Fred," said Brandt, who said there are usually between four and eight spinners.

"It builds a sense of community, which I think we're losing," she said.

The idea was hatched a couple years ago when Brandt said she noticed there was a "price point" for classes that a lot of people couldn't meet. She tried offering them for free — "one can or whatever you can" — and the idea took off. S

he's raised money for a research foundation after a friend's son was diagnosed with stomach cancer and now chooses a new charity every three months. December, January and February were Toys for Tots and the Father Fred Foundation. Freedom Builders will receive the donations from March, April and May.

"I've had financial troubles the last couple years just like everyone else," Brandt said. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for friends. If we were all a little kinder and listen to what people need ..."

She said Tony Jones, owner of the Fitness Factor, "didn't blink an eye" when she made the suggestion to offer the classes by donation.

"He gave me a key to the gym and I'd only been there about a month," she laughed.

Laurie Larson, of Traverse City, spins three times a week with Brandt and loves the Saturday classes.

"You get in shape and help people at the same time," she said.

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