Dedicated to fitness: Seniors praise benefits of exercise classes

By RUTH RICE
The Tribune-Democrat

February 10, 2006 02:26 pm

— Jerry Hoover of Ebensburg has noticed a huge improvement in his range of motion.
Hoover, 71, credits his limber limbs to the Silver Sneakers exercise classes he attends.
“You think it’s a simple process, but when you get into it, it’s not,” Hoover said after his Monday morning class. “It’s fairly tough, intense exercise.”
When my supervisor handed me this assignment, she suggested that I write this story through the eyes of a participant.
I soon found out this is no class for wimps – young or old.
To the strains of “We Are Family,” we marched in place, moving our feet to the left and the right in coordinated unison.
While the other class members laughed and talked, I concentrated on my coordination.
We then marched forward and backward around our chairs as the talk turned to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Super Bowl win.
Stopping behind our chairs, we held on and raised up and down on our toes, slowly at first then faster and faster.
I stopped to take notes while the rest of the class did squats and lifted their legs to their sides as far as they could.
When the music switched from “You Give Me Fever” to “Flashdance,” the class broke out the hand weights.
I thought I could handle more.
We did curls and lifts with three-pound weights, which are surprisingly heavy when lifted above your head, working our wrists, arms and shoulders.
“Are you feeling stronger?” our instructor, Adriann White, called out. “What’s your exertion level?”
Periodically, we would stop for a drink of water to stay hydrated.
But when White told the class to bring their knees up to touch their elbows, I knew I had reached my limit.
I retreated to a back corner of the room where I could observe the rest of the class.
After more body-stretching moves, the class began dance moves to the song “I’ve Had the Time of My Life,” counting repetitions out loud.
Next came the resistance bands.
White guided the class through many motions, including mimicking the motions made when you dry your back and take your jacket off and on.
Students also stood on the bands and pulled up with their arms.
Getting out their exercise balls as “Unforgettable” played, the class performed slow and fast finger squeezes and passed the balls from hand to hand while walking around their chairs.
For eye-hand coordination, White had her class dribble balls using one hand at a time, alternating hands to make their brains work harder.
Participants also held the balls between their calfs and knees to improve flexibility, passed the balls between their knees and rolled the balls up their arms using their fingertips.
When the cool-down period came and a jazzy rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” played, chairs were cleared of exercise equipment so the participants could sit down and do relaxing movements before ending their session.
Level II classes are held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Shape Shifters Fitness, 162 Industrial Park Road, Ebensburg.
A less-strenuous Level I beginners’ class is held from 10 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays.
The seniors are put through their paces by White, who teaches classes Mondays through Thursdays, and Kate Scott, who instructs the classes on Fridays.
The equipment used by each participant in both classes is deceptively simple – two three-pound hand weights, a small exercise ball, a resistance band, a chair and a bottle of water.
White said seniors get many benefits from Silver Sneakers, such as better overall health, flexibility and strength. The classes also give them time to socialize.
“It fights depression and isolation, and they need less medication,” White said. “For the Level I class, they stay in their seats. It’s for those with physical limitations who are new to exercise and need to regain lost strength and range of motion.”
Hoover’s wife, Marie, who attends classes with her husband, has noticed that her legs are stronger and her balance has improved.
“It’s very beneficial,” she said. “It makes me feel better.”
Joan Van Dyck, 77, of Ebensburg said Silver Sneakers is a positive thing.
“My legs are better,” she said. “It helps with movement and agility. When I first started, I was tired, but now I have more strength.”
“It’s very social. We have a lot of laughs. If you don’t laugh in life, you have a problem.”
Lisa Mack, adviser for the Silver Sneakers programs at Shape Shifters, said there are about 115 participants. Twelve members have signed up since the beginning of the year.
Members reside in Johnstown, Carrolltown, New Germany, Vinco, Colver, Cresson, Patton, Summerhill, Portage, Altoona and Indiana.
“They’ve told me it helps with their blood pressure and flexibility,” Mack said. “Triglyceride and cholesterol levels are brought under control.
“And the social aspect is wonderful. They come in to see people, and if someone is missing, they check on them. If someone is sick, they send a card.”
Those who attend the classes are dedicated to fitness, even showing up for class in bad weather, Mack said.
Some Level II participants also walk several miles a day and enjoy roller skating and cross-country skiing.
Sometimes the simple act of exercising can bring dramatic results.
Mack said one man who had heart problems was able to have a much needed quadruple bypass surgery because he exercised enough to improve the strength of his heart.
Another man couldn’t get up from his couch without help before coming to exercise class. Now, he is able to go on vacations, Mach said.
“Exercising three times a week can add seven years to your life,” Mack said.
Benefits from regular exercise include reducing the risks of heart attacks and strokes, reducing the dependency on medications, weight loss, improved muscle tone, balance and coordination, easing anxiety and depression and improved flexibility and range of motion, Mack said.
Mack said members can participate in any Silver Sneaker program in the country.
To be eligible for Silver Sneakers, participants must be 65 or older. Anyone on disability may qualify at a younger age.
Plan availability may vary by counties. Participants must be eligible for Medicare Part A and must be enrolled in Medicare Part B.
All Medicare beneficiaries in the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield service area may apply, Mack said.

Ruth Rice can be reached at 532-5052 or rrice@tribdem.com.

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