A variety of fitness options are offered at the Christian Life Center. Invite your friends and neighbors – church membership is not required.

Seniors Exercising Together (S.E.T):
Join our community of seniors and active older adults for a total-body workout! SET classes are designed to increase flexibility, joint stability, balance, coordination, muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance. Our workouts combine aerobic, flexibility and strength training with plenty of fun and fellowship. Cost is $20 per month which also allows you to participate in any of the drop-in fitness classes listed below.

Drop-In Fitness Classes
Drop-In Fitness classes are offered at the Christian Life Center. Pre-registration is not necessary. You can register upon arrival or click here to print a registration form to bring with you.

Cardio/Strength is a blended class which offers a section of cardio to help you burn fat followed by toning moves to build muscle. Modifications are available to make this class suitable for all fitness levels. Cost is $20 per month and includes Chair Yoga and S.E.T.
Chair Yoga offers a gentle form of yoga that is practiced sitting in a chair, or standing using a chair for support. Cost is $15 per month.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is a total body, heart pumping, aerobic and strength conditioning workout. This interval-based class combines full-body strength training with high intensity cardio bursts designed to tone your body, improve your endurance and clear your mind before the busy days get started. Modifications for all fitness levels are provided.

Holy Yoga 101 Workshop is a four-week series consisting of 60 minute classes held weekly. The first week introduces physical postures, breath work and biblical meditation and includes a yoga practice. The second, third and fourth weeks consist of gentle classes that encourage strength, flexibility and endurance of both body and spirit. Perfect for those new to yoga or those wanting to bring their Christian faith into their existing yoga practice. Watch for future classes here.

Saturday mornings from 6:00-8:30am

Adult open basketball is open to anyone ages 18 years and older. Games take place at the Christian Life Center. Show up with your neighbors and friends – no pre-registration required. Just drop in and have some fun. Contact the Christian Life Center office with questions, 515.289.9153.

DATES: Tuesday mornings, throughout the school year (visit here for Fall start-up date)
TIME: 9:30-10:30am
COST: Free!

It’s time for the little ones to come play and burn off some energy! Children of all ages are welcome (but must be accompanied by an adult) to run and play in the gym at the Christian Life Center. A short Bible story is also part of little ones open gym now!

Join us Tuesday mornings throughout the school year from 9:30-10:30am. Registration is not required.... just show up and join us for some fun! Contact the Christian Life Center office, 289-9153, if you have any questions.

*NOTE: Little Ones Open Gym follows the Ankeny School Calendar and Winter Weather Cancellation Policy. If school is not in session or cancelled due to inclement weather, we will not hold open gym.**

Our Sports Cluster partners with the Academy of Martial Arts Inc. to teach martial arts to children, ages 4-6 years. In Little Ninjas, our goal is to help your preschooler be the best they can be at everything they put their minds to, by improving basic motor and listening skills. Instructors are good role models who are trained to work with preschool-aged children. Your child will be engaged in a fun way, learning to listen to instructors and work cooperatively with their fellow ninjas. Classes will include of an intentional time for devotion and prayer.

Uniforms are NOT required for this program.

Each summer Ankeny First United Methodist Church offers a recreational soccer league for kids Pre-K (4 year olds+) – 5th grades. (PreK players must be four years old by the start of the season.)

Games are played 3v3 so that every member of the team gets equal playing time, more action, and equal touches on the ball. Kids soccer is open to everyone in the community, not just those who attend Ankeny First. Each session will include a brief devotion. Games are held at the Christian Life Center (710 NE 36th St).

Our Miles for Miracles Fun Run/Walk is designed for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, from serious runners to whole families. It features a relatively flat course, starting and finishing at the Christian Life Center. Whether this is your first 5K or your 100th, you'll fit right in at this race! Proceeds from our race benefit On With Life - Brain Injury Rehabilitation Specialist.

In addition to our 5K race, we will also have a Kids Ninja Warrior Obstacle course for boys and girls in grades K-5. There's no cost to run the obstacle course but a free will donation is appreciated.

Watch for more details in the Fall of 2019 for our next 5K!

Watch for future start dates here.
TIME: Games are played between 6:00pm and 9:00pm
COST: $20/player
Twice a year, we hold an 8-week co-ed volleyball league at the Christian Life Center. You can sign up individually or as a team. Teams require a minimum of six players. We offer two divisions for our volleyball league – Recreational and Competitive. Please see the descriptions below to determine which league best fits your skill level. Pre-registration is required. Childcare is provided if needed.

RECREATIONAL LEAGUE
• Players exhibit some prior experience, mostly at the recreation or high school level
• General knowledge of rules/strategy associated with the sport
• Uses two or three hits to create a volleyball play
• Most players engaged in creating volleyball play, with some variation in hitters being used
• Decent passing and setting ability, with some spiking, blocking and digging
• General team cohesion with and organization with many players of different skill levels

COMPETITIVE LEAGUE
• A wealth of prior experience at the high school, club or college levels
• Superior court positioning and high degree of court awareness
• Consistently uses three-hits to create a strong volleyball play
• All players engaged in creating a strong volleyball play, with all hitters being used and in a constantly varied rotation
• Superior passing, setting, smashing, digging, and blocking ability
• Team is organized and plays as a unit with few to no inexperienced players
• Highly skilled both mentally and physically, with excellent court sense and ability to read plays developing.
Contact the Christian Life Center office, 289-9153, if you have any questions.

Watch for future dates here.

Start Smart is a program for boys and girls (ages 3-5) that teaches the basic motor skills (throwing, catching, kicking, batting) necessary to play organized sports. The program focuses on teaching children and their parents basic sports mechanics without the threat of competition or the fear of getting hurt. Parents, along with volunteer leaders, participate with their child as they go through four different stations each class. Each session includes an age appropriate devotion.