Maricá offers free gyms called "Academias da Saúde" (Health Gyms), which provide physical activities with professional guidance for residents who cannot afford a private gym. The municipality already has three locations in the network: one in Araçatiba and two in Itaipuaçu.
The spaces are linked to the Primary Health Care network, bringing exercise closer to basic care. The activities are supervised by Physical Education professionals and are part of a health prevention and promotion approach, with the goal of ensuring that residents do not start exercising unsupervised.
In July, the Araçatiba location offered classes in strength training, stretching, breathing exercises, circuits, and mobility. The two spaces in Itaipuaçu were recently inaugurated: one at the Josefa Xavier Leal Family Health Unit, in the São Bento da Lagoa subdivision, and another next to USF Jardim Atlântico.
Interested residents can go directly to the locations to register and start practicing physical activities with professional guidance.
