People can aid victims of the earthquake in Haiti by going for a “spin” without leaving LaGrange.

Towne Fitness Center in downtown LaGrange is sponsoring a 90-minute “spinning” class today with proceeds going through the local chapter of the Salvation Army for the international organization’s efforts for earthquake relief.

Participants can make donations to reserve stationary exercise bikes for the “Spinning for Haiti” class, which begins at 5:30 p.m.

The magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti last week has been called one of the most horrific natural disasters in the century.

“We wanted to do our part to help,” instructor Gina Hall said. “Right now, there seems to be a call for finances first, and we decided to take donations. One of our members was a board member with the local Salvation Army, and we became a donation site.

“We decided to go one step further and offer the class for donations. The 90-minute ‘ride’ is approximately the equivalent of a 50-mile ride on a bike. We will have seven instructors available during the time, and it will be a regular class, but to take the class, people are being asked to reserve a bike by doing a donation.

“There will be a chance to work hard and really go for the RPMs, and then there will be a recovery time. We will have the songs available.”

Of the 25 exercise bikes available, 14 had been reserved by late Thursday.

Those who don’t want to ride also can help.

“We will be accepting donations through Sunday for those who don’t do the class,” Hall said.

n For details on the “Spinning for Haiti” event, call Towne Fitness Center at (706) 884-4653.

Becky Holland can be reached at bholland@lagrangenews.com and (706) 884-7311, Ext. 229.