By FAITH ABDULLAH
For the Dominion Post
According to recent health data, West Virginia ranks 46th among states in overall health. These numbers reflect the state’s health challenges with chronic illness, including heart and kidney diseases.
With high mortality rates affecting the state, health and fitness organizations are implementing holistic ways to ensure a healthier West Virginia. A great example of such efforts includes the United in Movement festival, created by Zenergy Cycling.
Zenergy Cycling is a Morgantown-based boutique indoor cycling studio brand, founded by Nick Staples. Staples, who is also the founder of Nick Staples Presents, the production company behind the United in Movement festival, noted the festival would be instrumental in connecting people together through fitness, music and community.
“I wanted to create a festival that brought my music and my fitness background together and that’s how United in Movement was born,” Staples said. “So the idea is to bring all these like-minded businesses together that are operating all over Morgantown and have festivalgoers get to experience a little taste of what is here.”
Staple’s Zynergy Cycling partners with other fitness brands including Bodybar, Orangetheory Fitness and &Yoga. Staples noted that this collective of fitness brands helps in building community while prioritizing a refreshing holistic fitness experience.
“I think most importantly is building community. All of these amazing fitness brands in Morgantown and West Virginia have beautiful communities on their own,” Staples said. “The idea was how can we bring what everybody (has) created to one place, to show that Morgantown is moving in a forward direction, much like some of these major metropolitan cities such as New York City, Miami or Chicago.”
United in Movement is slated for May 2, with a great lineup of activities. The festival will be held from 8 a.m. to noon at Suncrest Towne Centre. Admission is $25, which includes access to the full morning lineup of classes and entry to the vendor village experience.
