LAKEPORT, Calif. – Sutter Lakeside Hospital is partnering with City Fitness to sponsor a limited number of free gym memberships for Lake County residents who qualify based on financial need.

City Fitness offers free weights and weight machines as well as group fitness classes, including cycling, cardio kickboxing and Zumba.

Obesity, a common condition indicated by a body mass index (BMI) over 30, plagues Lake County in increasing percentages.

While California’s adult obesity rate is 24.7 percent, Lake County’s obesity rate is 37.5 percent for women and 33.3 percent for men, according to the State of Obesity, a project of the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Over half the state is overweight or obese, at 60.1 percent of adults falling into an unhealthy BMI range.

The effects of obesity include an increased risk for coronary heart disease, heart failure, heart attack, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, certain types of cancers, joint pain, gallstones and hypoventilation syndrome (increased carbon dioxide and decreased oxygen in the blood).

While making good dietary choices is an important part of maintaining a healthy weight, research suggests that exercise is an effective combatant of the risks associated with obesity.

Regular exercise can help control weight, improve mood and cognitive function, boost energy and promote better sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Weight lifting is a particularly effective tool to fight against poor health. Regular weight-bearing exercise can improve muscle tone, increase overall metabolic rate, improve circulation, heart and lung function and increase concentration.

Lifting weights also fights osteoporosis, lowers the risk of diabetes and high blood sugar, can reduce back pain, and improve core strength and balance.

Applications are available at Sutter Lakeside Hospital Rehabilitation Services located at 5196 Hill Road East in Lakeport and at City Fitness on 871 Bevins St. in Lakeport.

The application deadline for scholarships is Tuesday, Dec. 23.

For more information, please contact Valerie Ungewitter at 707-262-5090.

Morgen Wells is Community Relations and Fund Development coordinator at Sutter Lakeside Hospital.