RICHMOND, Va., Feb 16, 2011 -- A local outdoor bootcamp-style fitness program has begun offering free memberships to individuals who are among Metro Richmond’s growing thousands facing job layoffs.

“An effective physical workout can be one of the best things you can do for yourself to reduce stress, especially the stress of job loss,” said Bob Taylor, a Richmond creative director who formed X-Team Fitness 3 years ago as an adjunct to his ad and Web design business.

“And because we know first hand how effective maintaining physical and mental fitness can be, we wanted to do what we do best to help people in our communities cope,” Taylor said.

“X-Team Fitness began with a handful of fitness-minded friends who wanted to workout together and keep each other accountable. Word spread quickly and our success prompted us to make it a membership-based program that now costs an average of $60 per  month,” Taylor said. “We can certainly invest some of that to help folks through difficult times.”

X-Team Fitness differentiates itself from local competitors by taking a comprehensive, systemic approach to individuals’ fitness goals, incorporating a thorough health assessment, regular testing, nutritional counseling, detailing goals and  implementing accountability. “The result is a sensible, safe and sane way to begin what we hope will be a long commitment to an aggressive, but extremely effective outdoor physical fitness program,” Taylor said.

To take advantage of this offer, people will need to call (804) 920-8086 or go to X-Team’s Web site – xteamfitness.com – and type “Layoff Special” in the email contact form.

Taylor said he and his team will wait and see how their offer is accepted to set a limit on free memberships.

“Our goal is to help people at a time when they really need it,” Taylor said. “If we’re successful with this, great. We can always expand our capabilities, and our existing members will welcome the opportunity to do so.”

“Comaraderie, networking and new friendships are a big part of our thing when we’re out there,” he said, “and the resulting release of endorphins can make a big difference in people’s lives when times are tough. We’ll send them home tired, but refreshed and renewed with encouragement, new friends and a great workout.”