"Body, Soul, Mind": Fitness Champions Revive Calisthenics in Chicopee

A New Approach to Fitness and Sobriety

In the city of Chicopee, Mike Marshall is on a journey toward sobriety. One of his stops along the way is Rivers Park, where a group of men gathers for calisthenics. This bodyweight workout is designed to build strength and endurance. For Marshall, who is 30 years old, this routine has been more than just exercise—it's been a lifeline.

“It sounds cheesy, but doing things like this saved my life,” Marshall said. “It helped me turn my addiction into something positive.” Over the past three years, Marshall has made significant changes in his life: he's gotten into better shape, improved his diet, and even started training others at his gym to do the same. Working out with like-minded individuals in a public park has added an extra layer of motivation.

“Coming to the park to do calisthenics helps my clients expand their horizons or feel like they can accomplish new things beyond what they do in the gym,” he explained.

On a recent Thursday, a reporter and photographer visited Rivers Park to witness the workout session led by Anthony Battles, the group’s leader. There, participants demonstrated their skills on pull-up bars and monkey bars. One man, William Rodriguez, held a vertical part of the bar with both hands as he lifted his legs up parallel to his arms. “That’s called ‘The Flag,’” another person remarked. Others performed pull-ups balancing on the bar with their forearms instead of their hands, while some held themselves upside down.

Battles, originally from New York City, wanted a place in Western Massachusetts to pursue the same outdoor workouts he was doing in the city. However, he found that most local parks lacked the necessary equipment. “Most of the parks here don’t have the pull-up bars,” he said. “We found this one by driving around a lot.”

For the last three years, the group, known as Easy 10 Fitness, has grown steadily. More people are learning about it through social media and word-of-mouth. At a recent event at the park, nearly 50 men attended. These events are free to the public.

“Our goal is to see more and more people who are passionate about fitness or want to try something new come to the park,” Battles said. He hopes the upcoming weekend’s event will attract a different audience—women. “We’ll have our first female trainer this Saturday,” he mentioned. The previous weekend’s training session brought around 20 women, he noted.

The group also focuses on content creation to build its online presence. Leading up to Saturdays at 11 a.m., which is the most popular day for participation, Battles and other members create a set of exercises. This Saturday, the woman leading the session had already curated her own set of exercises.

The exercises vary depending on a person’s ability level. Some are beginner-friendly, while others are more challenging. Calisthenics is more than just a physical workout; it's also a mental and emotional one.

“It’s psychological,” said Dizel Wright, one of Battles’ friends. “It’s a body, mind, and soul workout.” Wright, who is 30, explained that working out at the park with the others has fostered a sense of brotherhood among the group. “We all come from different backgrounds, but our motivation for calisthenics is what keeps us coming back,” he said.

The group ranges in age from the mid-20s to mid- to late-40s. Some attend to look and feel good, while others use it as a way to navigate the mental challenges of life. Most of the men are fathers, and they see the value in instilling discipline. “Being a better role model for our kids is important,” Battles said.

“Bringing our kids to do calisthenics at the park keeps them out of trouble, keeps them active, and helps them find an outlet and build a community,” Marshall added.

The group is open to anyone interested in calisthenics and meets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 11 a.m. at Rivers Park in Chicopee.