Amid the weeknight rush to get home, make dinner, help the kids with homework, do housework and get to bed at a decent hour, finding time for a workout might seem nearly impossible.

Trainer Blake Robinson is hoping to change that for people who work downtown. Robinson is the founder of Weekday Workouts at the Gallivan Center, which has returned this summer. The program provides free exercise classes, open to anyone, that workers can hit before their commute.

"It gives people a chance to exercise and get out of their offices and away from the desk," Robinson said.

The program provides a one-hour workout four nights a week, starting at 5:15 p.m. Robinson and other instructors focus on different regimens each week, including yoga, pilates, cross fit and body weight. The idea is to let people try several options to find something they enjoy doing, Robinson said.

The program got off to a slow start last summer but has attracted more participants this year. Classes are averaging 20 to 25 people each week, said participant Daniela Jones, who credits last year's program with sparking her interest in hard-core exercise. The location is near Jones' office, and the price is certainly right.

"You can't beat free," she said.

The central location served as a meeting place for Jenny Girten and her husband, who planned to work out, take a bike ride and then enjoy Gallivan's Monday Night Movies. Girten rides her bike in from Sugar House and can meet her husband on his way home via FrontRunner from Clearfield.

The workouts have garnered praise from several organizations, including Mayor Ralph Becker's office and the Downtown Alliance.

"We're always looking for unique, fun activities that the public and downtown community can participate in," said Andrew Wallace of the Downtown Alliance. "We couldn't turn it down."

Commuters can enjoy the one-hour workouts while waiting for traffic to clear, Wallace said, giving them a speedy trip home. And there is plenty of space for more participants on the grass in Gallivan's amphitheater.

Though concerts at the center occasionally require workouts to be canceled, for the most part they run as scheduled, Robinson said.

"The more convenient it is, the more likely they will be able to do it," Robinson said. "That is the goal — for people to come out and get healthy."

kdrake@sltrib.comTwitter: @Katie_Drake —

Weekday Workouts

The summer exercise program is Mondays through Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. through Aug. 28. Classes are free and open to anyone, but participants must sign a safety waiver. For more information, visit www.downtownslc.org.