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28 SEPTEMBER 2023 By Jennifer Marshall Folks worldwide have seen and learned what kind of toll the pandemic had on people’s mental, emotional and physical health. That’s why Phoenix firefighter and Arcadia resident Charlie Straus has worked tirelessly to provide fitness workouts to people in his neighborhood for the past three years. His main goal is to make a positive difference in people’s lives. “I’ve always maintained a very healthy and active lifestyle,” Straus said. “I’ve always felt everyone should prioritize their health and fitness, especially kids. When schools, gyms and kids’ sports were shut down, I wanted me and my boys, Max and Matty, to remain active.” This is how P-Fit was created. The first workout Straus conducted was for Max, Matty and their 11-year-old neighbor, Adam Blais, done in Straus’ backyard using his home equipment. The next day, Adam’s mom asked if she could participate. From there, the popularity of the workouts soared. “Before I knew it,” Straus said, “we had 20 people in my front yard working out together almost daily. Years ago, we’d nicknamed our neighborhood ‘Pleasantville,’ so we started to call our neighborhood workouts P-Fit workouts – short for Pleasantville Fitness.” P-Fit workouts include bodyweight exercises, cardio endurance, and leg and core strength. Examples are sprints, push- ups, lunges, squats a nd cr u nches. The prog ram’s rapid success also allowed Straus to acquire additional equipment. “Each workout is designed so a person of any age can participate. We have six-year-old girls – and my 72-year- old mom, Peg – participating,” Straus said. Straus said that he always tries to make the workouts challenging, fun and encouraging. “I try to meet each person at their level and push and encourage them with lots of positive feedback,” he said. “When you exercise, you release endorphins. Endorphins combined with a fun and positive group of people make exercising contagious.” Classes are offered for kids aged 4 to 16. Straus built an exercise studio in his backyard last year to accommodate the growing number of participants. “Because the people who attend are good friends and neighbors, the workouts have been free for everyone until now. I’m a single father and a full-time firefighter, and my free time is consumed by my fitness classes,” Straus said. He said he’s getting busier with designing, scheduling and performing workouts. “I have acquired a lot of equipment that will soon need to be replaced because there have been so many hands on it – which is awesome. Starting this fall, I’ll be opening my doors to kids around Arcadia interested in group and individual training for a fee,” Straus said. Classes take place from 3-7 p.m. and are divided by age group, from first grade to high school seniors; sessions are 45 minutes to an hour long. Days and times vary. Workouts cost $20-$25, depending on the age group. P-Fit will also offer class packages of 10 for a discount. pfit43.com ‘Pleasantville’ neighbor helps his neighborhood stay active Charlotte Shaeffer, Camille Dunlavey, Ruby Shaeffer and Lila Blais with Charlie Straus in the backyard studio. PHOTO COURTESY OF CHARLIE STRAUS Charlie Straus 3901 East Stanford Dr, Paradise Valley, AZ 85253 602.955.8200 1961 YEAR FOUNDED As a nonsectarian, nonprofit, college preparatory day school ENROLLMENT In our co-ed student body, 37% identify as students of color AFFORDABILITY 24% receive need-based financial aid grants at an average of $15,000 750 CLASS SIZE 15 students average per class STUDENT:TEACHER 8 students average per 1 teacher FACULTY DEGREES 85% of Upper School faculty hold advanced degrees 8:1 85% 40 CAMPUS SIZE 40 acres Athletic fields, aquatic center, gyms, auditorium, music spaces, and science, art & tech center SCHOOL HOURS 7:50am–3:00pm Hot lunch included daily for Lower and Middle School, optional for Upper School ATHLETICS 14 state championships in the past 3 years 12 Upper School sports and 13 Middle School sports DISCOVER PCDS PLEASE JOIN US FOR OPEN HOUSE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 5th, 11am-1pm PCDS.ORG/OPENHOUSE PCDS is a private, independent school, Pre-k through Grade 12.