| Who would’ve thought that Santa Clarita resident Linda Bennett would make her way down the Grand Canyon and right back up? A 12-mile round trip feat she couldn’t do 40 years prior was accomplished just a few years ago. It’s no surprise…she’s simply amazing. Born and raised in Long Beach, California, Linda made her way to the Santa Clarita Valley in 1974, where she has since made her home. “I remember when my husband and I first moved out here. The city was little, and there wasn’t much here…but I loved it.” It was in Santa Clarita when Linda began what would be a lifelong career in fitness. She started off working with Reena Newhall in 1974 where Linda was part of the Exercise for Life program. “It was Reena, Doris and I, and we taught all different types of fitness classes at a small Methodist church,” states Linda. “When Reena bought the dance studio, I began teaching there as well.” Fitness certifications didn’t even exist at the time Linda began her career, but in 1985, the American Council on Exercise (ACE), a nonprofit organization committed to America’s health and wellbeing, began offering education and fitness certification for professionals. Linda took many courses and received her ACE certification. “The tests were grueling, but by 1986, I was certified.” Due to Linda’s love for dance, she also became certified in aerobics from the Cooper Institute. “Because I love to dance, I’ve always incorporated aerobic dance into my fitness routines.” Just prior to getting certified, Linda made her debut at the Santa Clarita Senior Center in Newhall, spearheading their fitness program. Class sizes consisted of small groups of eight and have now grown to 40. “I started a low impact aerobic program that is still going to this day,” states Linda. “It is such a joy to teach at the Center.” Linda teaches everything from aerobics, to fine motor skills to chair exercise and more. She has even developed a program to accommodate wheelchairs. “I love, love, love the people,” states Linda. “It is so amazing to be able to watch them literally change their lives. I have so many stories about people who couldn’t do much before coming into class and are now stronger than ever. To see the people change their lives through fitness is so rewarding.” What sparks her love for fitness? “I care about the health and well being of the people I work with,” states Linda. “I remember graduating high school and travelling to New Orleans. I went from a size six to 16 in three months, but I was determined that gaining weight wasn’t going to be a life sentence, and that I would learn how to eat right and stay fit. I have been in the medical field, worked in insurance and a lot of other things along the road, but fitness has always been my love.”
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