New Finger Lakes workout class creates community through fitness

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A new workout class is giving women in the Finger Lakes a good sweat, but it’s also becoming a space for them to support each other.

Once a week, Debra McMillon makes her way to the Wayne County community center.

She’s going to a workout class that became life-changing for her. 

McMillion struggled with depression and anxiety. Tired of isolating herself, she found a community with the women in this class. 

“The atmosphere was so inviting, I kept coming back,” said McMillion. “Everybody comes with baggage. We’re able to talk about it and get support from each other.”

Creating a support system for women is exactly why Celestine Coney started the hip-hop classes. She calls it her “girl gang.”

“They get to come here and let out whatever stress they had from work and be with girl gang classes,” said Coney.

Classes are held in Seneca and Wayne counties. 

Coney wanted to bring these classes to rural areas where opportunities for women to get together are limited. Coney quit her job working at the VA to start these classes. She choreographs each dance herself and creates routines for all ages. 

“The youngest is 5 and my oldest is 60-something,”said Coney. “It’s their home away from home.”

Girl gang classes started with just a handful of women, but now around 50 fill the gym floor each week.