The holiday season is usually never a time to think about losing weight or starting a workout routine.  However, Noe Espinosa of 12th Street Gym hopes to change that.

Every Friday in November leading up to Thanksgiving, Espinosa will be hosting Fit To Feed, a series of circuit training classes, to benefit Philadelphia-based MANNA, an organization that provides therapeutic nutrition to those in need.  The suggested donation for each class is ten dollars, and one hundred percent of the money raised will go to the charity.

“I want to raise awareness that we don’t have to wait until an illness is close to us to help others,” said Espinosa.  “There is always time to give a hand to those who need us and I think that there is nothing better than helping others through my job.”

The workouts are open to anyone in the community, not just 12th Street Gym members.  Participants can expect to sweat with a mix of free weight and callisthenic (body weight) workouts, perfect to trim off some unwanted fat before a big holiday meal.

“The whole purpose of this type of workout is to burn lots of calories and work every single muscle of the body,” said Espinosa.

Remaining classes are November 8, 15, and 22 at 5:30PM.  Interested participants simply need to arrive at 12th Street Gym before the circuit training sessions with their donations and a desire to exercise.

“The amazing thing about this is that we all win,” said Espinosa.  “We donate and we also get a great workout.”

 12th Street Gym is located at 204 South 12^th Street, Philadelphia.  For more information about the facility, contact (215) 985-4092.