Working off the holiday bird

They came to burn the bird.

At the Sarpy YMCA Friday morning, about 30 people showed up for an annual post-Thanksgiving exercise extravaganza designed to work off the excesses of the holiday table.

Sarpy was only one of several YMCAs in the metro area that held the event, called “Burn the Bird.”

Buffy DeWispelare, health and wellness director at the Sarpy Community YMCA, said the program differs from Y to Y depending on what members like. The Sarpy YMCA’s itinerary for the hour-and-45-minute event included Body Pump (free weights), Pilates, step, cycling, kickboxing and other activities.

“The whole thing is to give them a variety,” she said. People can switch up their regular workouts or try activities they haven’t before.

“It gives them a big opportunity to try different classes with different instructors and just test it out for a little bit.”

Before the workout began, people gathered in groups to chat and talk about their workout plans or how they spent their Thanksgiving.

Tammy Norman of Bellevue was there for the first time, and she was looking forward to trying kickboxing.

“I’ve been working out more a little bit this year, and I just thought this was a great opportunity to come and try a couple of classes that I haven’t,” she said. “And it’s after Thanksgiving, so what a great time to come and burn some calories. ... get those calories gone that I took in yesterday, and maybe make some room for some more today.”

Classes are set up for low- or high-impact workouts, and the day often turns into a family affair.

Andrea Dethlefs of La Vista brought her son, Christopher, 14, and her daughter, Allison, 16.

“I like that there’s a variety of different activities to do, so you can try them all out,” she said.

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