By Anna Adams | Special to the Advertiser

Anyone who has the goal of becoming physically and mentally fit on their New Year’s resolution list may not have to look any further than right here in Chilton County.

Impact Martial Arts, located inside Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness Center in Clanton, will offer a free, 12-week bully-defense program in 2016.

“We did this program last summer, and it turned out great,” said Sean Gilham of Impact Martial Arts. “We had both children and parents come. It’s great for parents to participate in the program with their children because not only are they going to get a workout in, but they are also able to continue discussing the topics covered in class while they are at home.”

Classes will be held every Monday night beginning Jan. 4 from 5:45-6:30 p.m.

“We are kicking off the New Year toward educating and inspiring the community to help end bullying in their lives and give confidence to the community,” Gilham said.

The classes will be focused on the three ways to “defeat a bully”: spirit (self-confidence), mind (educating on the four types of bullying) and body (getting physically strong).

According to stopbullying.gov, about 30 percent of young people admit to bullying others, while 48 percent of students in grades 6-12 have experienced bullying.

When bystanders intervene, bullying stops within 10 seconds 57 percent of the time.

Gilham said the classes would benefit parents who want their children to know how to handle bullying situations as well as anyone else who may want to be more confident in their self-defense skills.

For more information, call Cornerstone Fitness and Wellness at (205) 280-6450.