Saturday, August 15, 2026
73.0°F

High Fitness brings friends together with a health focus

CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 1 month AGO
by CALEB PEREZ
| July 4, 2025 3:00 AM

MOSES LAKE — The Larson Rec Center’s High Fitness class held its Fourth of July-themed High Fitness class this past week. The class is held every Tuesday from 7:45-8:45 p.m. 

“It gives you a family, it gives you friends, keeps you accountable and makes working out way more fun than doing it by yourself,” said Liza Tait, the instructor for High Fitness at the Rec Center. “And as the participant you don’t have to think, you just show up and I tell you what to do.” 

High Fitness is based on doing exercise set to music, said Tait. Each song that plays during the class has a different exercise tone in mind for the participants to follow along with. 

“There’s songs that are cardio-based and then there’s a few that are more like toners and squats,” she said. “I show all sorts of options for advanced as well as beginning exercising and being in shape.” 

Tuesday’s class had patriotic and American-themed songs in honor of Independence Day. In addition to the music fitting the theme, participants were decked out in red, white and blue attire and brought mini American flags and confetti poppers that were used during their exercise. 

Tait said she will hold theme classes throughout the year for holidays or for the birthdays of participants.  

“Themed is not the normal, but this week we (got) to have a theme,” she said. “It just makes it a little extra fun.” 

The idea behind starting High Fitness came from her desire to share her love of group fitness classes, Tait said.  

“I’ve always liked to exercise or have been interested in it and enjoyed it and the benefits of it but doing it by myself was always really boring and I didn’t have motivation to finish a workout or to do it every day,” she said. 

The class has gained a few regular members since it started, and they share the same sentiment as Tait. Megan Stoker said she has really appreciated the outlet for exercise, but also the friendships she's formed by attending the classes. 

“Basically, getting a group (together) that helps bring each other up,” said Stoker. 

Tait said the class is mostly made up of women but is open to men as well. Those interested in joining or wanting more information on fitness classes offered can find it on the Larson Rec Center website or through the Moses Lake Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Facebook page.  

Bailey Ditto also attends the class weekly and said she enjoys having something active to do each week. 

“It just makes me feel good,” Ditto said. “It makes me feel like I’m staying active and then I’m hanging out with friends.” 

    Participants of the High Fitness class came dressed in red, white and blue as part of the Fourth of July theme for Tuesday’s class. While the class is mostly made up of women, men are also invited to participate.
 
 
    Liza Tait leads the High Fitness class in an exercise that goes along with the song “Party In The USA”. The class is mostly focused around cardiovascular exercise, but will have sets of muscle toning and squats mixed in as well.
 
 


ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ

Sushik comes full circle ahead of first season at BBCC
August 14, 2026 3:15 a.m.

Sushik comes full circle ahead of first season at BBCC

MOSES LAKE — The next step in Liana Sushik’s athletic journey has led her to play for the Big Bend Community College Vikings volleyball team this fall after a successful career with the Soap Lake Eagles. Joining the Vikings is something she feels has deepened her love for the sport, she said. “I fell in love with the fact that there’s more than just high school volleyball; there’s another level,” said Sushik. “It’s like a whole new chapter and I’m so excited to see what I have next because there’s a lot that I’ve been through to get here.” Despite her success on the court, Sushik said she didn’t initially start out as an athlete.

Building a community at Desert City Fitness
August 13, 2026 3 a.m.

Building a community at Desert City Fitness

EPHRATA — The city of Ephrata welcomed its newest athletic club earlier this summer with Desert City Fitness setting up along Basin Street. Since their grand opening June 6, the club has worked to become a strong contributor to the community in Ephrata. “We just opened our doors and whoever comes in, that’s how we do it,” said Bryan Boney, owner of Desert City Fitness. Boney, who owns the club alongside his wife Tracy Fillion, decided to open Desert City Fitness to keep himself active after retiring six years ago. Boney said he has invested all his money from retirement into purchasing the property, remodeling and getting the equipment necessary to open his fitness center.

Grid Kids expands opportunities this season
August 12, 2026 3:35 a.m.

Grid Kids expands opportunities this season

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Grid Kids football program is gearing up for the start of its 26th football season this fall. This year, alongside their tackle football program, the Grid Kids have expanded their flag football options. “It’s one of those things that you just don’t really know how well it’s going to go, but right now we’re looking pretty strong,” said Brian Gwinn, the Gird Kids administrator and communications contact. The tackle opportunities remain the same for third through sixth grade with third and fourth graders playing together and fifth and sixth graders separately from the younger players. The format for third and fourth grade will remain at a regular 11-man game, but for fifth and sixth grade there is consideration for moving down to an eight-on-eight format.