Citrus Heights city officials celebrated the grand opening of Wild and Fly Fitness Bungee Studio in Citrus Heights last November. Photo by Thomas J. Sullivan

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Wendy Fuentes, owner of Wild and Fly Fitness, a bungee fitness studio at 8215 Auburn Blvd. in Suites B, C and D in Citrus Heights, celebrates its one-year anniversary this month and is ready to bounce into the upcoming holiday season.

In general, it has been a successful year for Wild and Fly Fitness, as first-time customers discovered the fun of bungee fitness while navigating ongoing road construction along Auburn Boulevard as work on the city’s Auburn Boulevard Phase 2 project reached its halfway point of completion.

Wild and Fly Fitness Bungee Studio hosts scheduled yoga classes, while the adjacent studio is configured and rigged for bungee fitness.

Fuentes recently stepped forward to help lead a new Citrus Heights Business Corridor Coalition to support and energize one of the city’s key commercial areas.

The coalition is the successor to the former Auburn Boulevard Business Association (ABBA), relaunching under new leadership with a focus on collaboration, advocacy and innovation among local businesses, according to Fuentes.

The public is also invited to participate and support two ongoing community events being held at Wild and Fly Fitness through Dec. 19, which includes a new coat donation and a new toy drive at the facility to help spread holiday cheer, Fuentes added.

Fuentes is also organizing and seeking volunteers to host and help with a free upcoming Posada-themed event and Santa’s Workshop from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 at the Wild and Fly studio. The event is jointly sponsored by Wild and Fly Fitness and the Bizlink Alliance, a local business networking group.

The nine-day La Posadas festival held from Dec. 16 to Dec. 24 is traditionally celebrated in Mexico, Latin America and by Hispanic communities in the U.S. ahead of Christmas. The festival commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to baby Jesus. 

“The toys and coats collected will be distributed at the Posada and Santa’s Workshop Community Event where we hope to see some 200 participants or more,” Fuentes said. “Suggested children’s gifts are for ages 5 months to 14 years of age. And donated coats are for all.”

Fuentes also leads a nonprofit organization, Wild and Fly ACE (Arts Culture and Entertainment), which helps raise funds and resources for families who can’t afford fitness programs.

“Anyone who brings in a new coat to donate will be entered into a raffle for a free month of bungee classes,” Fuentes said. “We’re inviting everyone to enjoy a magical evening at Wild and Fly Fitness, the joy of the posada and to stop at Santa’s Workshop.”

The public is also encouraged to pre-register for the free community event. Children will make their own ornament, meet Santa and receive a special gift, according to Fuentes.

The Wild and Fly Fitness grand opening last November was a year in the making. The site required structural engineering evaluation of the two studio spaces and construction of a steel supporting cage in the ceiling to support the collective weight of 15 bungee workout participants at any given time, according to Fuentes.

“I’m delighted that so many have discovered our studio and tried a bungee workout for the first time,” she said.

Bungee fitness workouts are typically low-impact, full-body cardio, Fuentes said, that use heavy-duty bungee cords to perform classic bodyweight exercises, actively engaging multiple muscle groups simultaneously, providing a full-body toning experience.

Wendy Fuentes, owner of Wild and Fly Fitness, demonstrates how the bungee exercise works. Photo courtesy of Wild and Fly Fitness

And in doing so, many who have done a bungee workout can attest that flying can be plenty of fun.

Indirectly, Fuentes hopes business owners along Auburn Boulevard who join the new coalition as construction of Auburn Boulevard Phase 2 improvements are completed next summer, will see their businesses “bouncing back” as well.

The coalition’s first town hall meeting is expected to be in January, with a specific date not yet announced. Meetings will be hosted at the Wild and Fly Fitness Studio.

She discussed the new idea with city officials at the beginning of the year, Fuentes said, and is working closely with the Economic Development Department and the Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce to build a stronger business community and attract more customers to the Auburn Boulevard area.

“The mission is to unite and empower businesses along Auburn Boulevard and to work to improve the vitality of businesses in the area,” Fuentes said. “The general vision centers on creating a vibrant boulevard filled with energy, opportunity and community pride.”

The group is also forming its founding board of directors and is seeking volunteers and business owners who want to contribute to local revitalization efforts along the boulevard.

As part of its early efforts, the new coalition is planning several community-focused activities, including a corridor-wide “We Are Open” campaign, community market days and art walks, business spotlights and networking mixers, as well as seasonal celebrations and holiday-themed events that showcase partnership and community spirit.

For more information about the Wild and Fly Fitness Bungee Studio, call 916-770-1039, email [email protected] or visit www.wildandflyfitness.com.