Karen Frye at Gold's Gym

Let the women come out and play!

To celebrate National Women’s Health Week, an event at CityScape on Friday will encourage women to try new exercises, learn how to create nutritious meals and just hang out with their girlfriends.

Sports in the City, the first ever fitness event presented by Girlfriends Talk Sports and Gold’s Gym, will feature everything from Zumba to weightlifting. According to Karen Frye, an NBA mom who produces and hosts Girlfriends Talk Sports, Sports in the City will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to teach women about getting fit and allow them to “find the athletes within themselves.”

“Being fit and sports go hand in hand,” Frye said. “We wanted to provide people with this opportunity to try new things and mix up their exercise routines.”

Frye added that women who attend will get the chance to try out “chick boxing,” yoga classes, and dance classes taught by the Arizona Cardinals Cheerleaders and the Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad. They will also get a lesson on baseball by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“This is the first time Phoenix has had an event like this,” Frye said. “It’s about education, instruction, and showing people how to get into the game.”

Sports in the City will also offer services to measure body mass index and blood pressure. People who attend can even learn how to make healthy meals during a seminar put on by the Arrogant Butcher.

“Really, the main goal is to have fun,” Frye said. “It’s a Friday, so we don’t want this to be like a job. Come down, hang out, and we’ll reintroduce you to the culture and community in downtown Phoenix.”

Dillan Boyd, the group dining manager for The Arrogant Butcher, said that a major goal of this event involves creating unity among the downtown Phoenix community.

“We know that it’s important to meet the downtown community and continue to integrate ourselves into it,” Boyd said. “We really believe that what makes success is meeting people and getting involved in the community.”

Boyd added that she wants to use this event to show people the healthy options available at the Arrogant Butcher.

“We wanted people to know that they don’t have to choose steak when they come into a restaurant,” Boyd said.  “Through this event, we want to educate them and show that we do have vegetarian options, gluten-free options, and several ways to make healthy meal choices.”

Learn more about these nutritious meals and join in the fitness fun by participating in this free event, which is “just one of many to come,” according to Frye.

“This city is building its community, but we need people to come down more often,” Frye added. “It’s events like this that will get the people out here.”

If you go

Event: Sports in the City

Location: CityScape

Date: Friday, May 18

Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: FREE

Sponsors: Gold’s Gym The Arrogant Butcher, Par Exsalonce Salon & Spa, CityScape, Downtown Phoenix Partnership

Information: Facebook.com/GirlfriendsTalkSports