When Redskins tight end Chris Cooley swung by Orr Elementary School in Anacostia last Thursday, he explained to the 100 kids circled around him that he'd already exercised that day. "So hopefully I can keep up with you," he said. Fat chance of that.

None of her yoga-teacher training quite prepared Sariane Leigh for leading her first classes in Washington east of the Anacostia River five years ago.

When 24-year-old Victoria Church moved back to D.C. after spending 10 months in China teaching English, she realized something was missing. How important is outdoor exercise equipment in helping people keep fit?