Attempt to break Guinness World Record

PETERSBURG — Donamatrix Day 2022 is almost upon us. The community fitness festival hosted by Celebrity Fitness Guru Don “DB DONAMATRIX” Brooks will be held once again at the Petersburg Sports Complex on Saturday, April 2.

During the fun-filled, free community event, Brooks will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the “largest resistance band workout” which is currently held in Sydney, Australia. To smash the world record, 650 people age 16 and older are needed to participate in Brooks’s Donamatrix Workout at the festival.

Donamatrix Day is centered on movement, fun and wellness for all ages and abilities. The ultimate goal of the annual fitness festival is to address the City of Petersburg’s problems with health, obesity and chronic diseases.

Through Donamatrix Day and the partnership with the City of Petersburg, Brooks hopes to influence radical change in the underlying assumptions around how the City of Petersburg became ranked as one of the unhealthiest cities in Virginia.

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The Commonwealth of Virginia is divided into 95 counties, along with 38 independent cities. Last year, the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute rated Petersburg the least healthy locality in Virginia, 133 out of 133.

The data comes from statistics for 2019 or even earlier and does not take the COVID-19 pandemic into account. The pandemic’s effect will be measured in this year’s rankings.

“Don is confident that his hometown will soon be seen at the most fittest and healthiest places in the country,” Teri Benson, key organizer of Donamatrix Day said. “Donamatrix Day is so special to Don. It’s his hometown. His mission is to make a difference that will have a lasting impact on the children, families, schools, government and everyone back home.”

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Donamatrix Day 2022 timeline

10 a.m. — 6-mile Family Bike Ride for all ages [On-site free registration 8:45 a.m.]

9 a.m. – 1 p.m. — 10,000 Steps Walk Challenge [Presented and led by Petersburg Family YMCA]

10 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

• Group Fit Zone [Group fitness sessions with Dr. Shawnrell Blackwell, Nikieva Perry, Geniva Almengor and Tamara Johnson]

• Kids Fit Zone [Play and family fishing sponsored and presented by Petersburg Recreation]

• Kickball Tournament sponsored and presented by Petersburg Recreation

• D.O.E. Bike Expo sponsored and presented by Petersburg native and recording artist Reginald Thurman aka Doe the Paperboy

• Shopping presented by RVA Black Farmers Market

• The Experience by Chef Keem [pre-order for weekly meal prep, pick up on Saturday, April 2]

• Oral screenings, Health screenings and covid vaccinations sponsored by Central Virgnia Health Services, Inc. Crimson Clinic

• Wraps, salads and smoothies for purchase prepared by Local Vibe Café

• The Music presented by DJ Foot with Richmond’s Hip Hop and R&B 106.5 The Beat

• Health, fitness and wellness vendors and exhibits

• Hydration [water and performance drinks] sponsored by BODYARMOR

1:15 p.m. — Donamatrix Workout Live Guinness World Records official attempt Donamatrix Workout [Tube resistance band with two handles needed to participate]

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Petersburg Mayor pedals

Pedal beside Brooks and Mayor Samuel Parham in Petersburg’s first-ever 6-mile family bike ride. The ride is for everyone from cycle pros to cruisers to beginners.

Cyclists will be guided by the following partners: We Ride D.C., Urban Cycling Group, Tuesdae Donyale [Brook’s daughter], Fitness Angel Training, Tamara Johnson, Derna Dickson, and Bike by DOE.

Helmets and safety equipment are strongly encouraged. Molly’s Bicycle Shop will perform safety checks from 8:45 – 10:15 a.m.

Parham began in January to drop 20 pounds of COVID weight by hitting his treadmill. He also wants to be prepared for Donamatrix Day events to avoid passing out.

“I don’t need Southside Emergency Crew trying to carry me off,” Parham quipped.

Don ‘DB DONAMATRIX’ Brooks

Brooks, a Petersburg High School and Virginia State University graduate, was named a Top 40 Fitness Guru of all time by Men’s Health Magazine. Brooks has shifted the culture of fitness and attracted global attention for nearly 20 years.

In 2018, the City of Petersburg proclaimed April 3rd as Donamatrix Day, recognizing Brooks’s contributions to the fitness and wellness industries.

Visit donamatrixday.com for more information and to register for the bike ride and/or Guinness World Record Donamatrix Workout. The Petersburg Sports Complex is located at 100 Ballpark Road.

Attend the Donamatrix Day Pep Rally at Local Vibe Café on April 1 from 5 – 7 p.m. VSU’s Woo Woo Cheerleaders will be present as well as 106.5 The Beat DJ Foot.

— Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly columnist is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow @KHiggins_PI on Twitter, @socialbutterflykristi on Instagram, and subscribe to us at progress-index.com.

This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Petersburg community fitness festival: Donamatrix Day returns April 2