Embracing the community through health and exercise

Teacher Nga Nguyen and her students Arjaman Chatterjee, Irvin Flores, Vanessa Pena, Luis Rodriguez, Isaac Vargas, Roberto Lugardo and Kevin Joya spent Friday morning engaging in different exercises alongside Siavash and Jennifer Fashi.

On May, 23 SIX PAX GYM Private Training Studio/Gym launched launch a fitness program for special needs young adults in Culver City.

Hosted by Culver City’s Mayor, Meghan Sahli-Wells, the Proprietors and Personal Trainers of SIX PAX GYM, Siavash and Jennifer Fashi designed a unique program to educate the Community Based Instruction (CBI) program from Venice High School in fitness and nutrition.

“Obesity is at an epidemic level in the special needs community,” says Siavash. “These kids have so many factors contributing to their condition – medications, physical limitations and lack of exposure to a good regimen of health, and we saw a need in the community. As with all of us, self-esteem is tied to physical well-being.”

SIX PAX Gym has had success with several clients already. Matthew, 24, has lost 22 pounds, is lifting weights and running 3 times a week. His self-esteem is skyrocketing. Stephen, 17, has lost almost 100 pounds. They have worked side by side with a blind client, Sharon, where everyone wins with these workouts.

Siavash Fashi, Jennifer Fashi and Culver City Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells were all part of the morning’s activities where students from the CBI program from Venice High School visited the gym.
Siavash Fashi and Roberto Lugardo join forces to flip over the 18-wheeler-sized tire. Siavash and Jennifer Fashi have been working with special needs kids to teach them about proper exercise and nutrition.