By Lori Mason

For the Salisbury Post

The J.F. Hurley Family YMCA recently had the privilege of hosting the faculty, parents and students of North Rowan Middle School during our Technogym “Let’s Move for a Better World” challenge.

Technogym will donate $25,000 worth of equipment to North Rowan Middle School if the Y wins the challenge. With nine days left in the challenge, the Y is currently a strong fourth place in the nation. We are competing against 37 other U.S. facilities.

During the challenge, members are encouraged to donate their moves on various Technogym cardio machines.

Principal Alexis Cowan and nearly 20 NRMS families were on hand to hear how the challenge works and how our community has come together in support for their school. After a brief discussion on the challenge, NRMS families were encouraged to tour the Y and to donate their own moves by sampling treadmills, steppers, stationary bikes, recumbent bikes and ellipticals.

For some, this was their first time visiting the Y. Eighth-grader Rachel Day utilized the equipment and later said, “I still feel like I’m on the treadmill!” When asked if she would do it again, her answer was, “Oh yeah, it was fun!”

Eighth-graders Aubree Cain and Anna Everhart pitted themselves against each other in a race for the mile on the demanding elliptical machines. Both girls were thrilled to donate their combined 700 moves to their school. Cain, a seasoned runner, was not fazed by the daunting machine and went on to run another mile.

Mayor Paul Woodson and Councilwoman Karen Alexander were also in attendance and both donated their own moves by testing two new treadmills now available. Alexander started a new trend by walking in leopard-print pumps. That goes to prove you are never too overdressed to exercise.

Project Manager Jennifer Burroughs added, “We have been given another chance to donate equipment to North Rowan Middle School if the Y does not come in first place.

Technogym has given us the opportunity to earn four raffle tickets to be entered into a drawing. We already have 3 tickets and are working on getting our fourth ticket for the drawing. We are so excited about this opportunity.”

As the Y continues its battle against childhood obesity and its goal to win the “Let’s Move” challenge, please remember to donate your moves!