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Friday, 14 March 2008 |
By MARY BARGDILL
Staff Writer
ST. MARYS — Local seniors who want to shake off the winter blues and step out for fun and exercise now have a place to go.
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, beginning at 9 a.m., nearly a dozen seniors gather in the Community Room of the Otterbein Retirement Living Community in St. Marys for exercise and fellowship.
Community Outreach Assistant at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital Cindy Gaerke has been leading the Seniorcize class for two years. Participants of the low-impact aerobic class utilize warm-up and stretching exercises at the beginning of class. They do everything from squats to balancing.
To get motivated for the exercise class, the seniors listen to music from the 1950s.
“The thing we enjoy most is the fellowship,” Gaerke said. “We have fun.”
Gaerke said the exercise class offers tremendous benefits to the seniors by encouraging emotional and spiritual wellness along with their physical health.
“It just starts your day out right,” Gaerke said. “Your mood is boosted tremendously.”
Otterbein resident Paul Miles is a regular at Seniorcize. He said exercising is the best part of the day.
“I walk about two miles a day,” he said. “It’s better than medicine.”
New Bremen resident Sally Dicke also enjoys her time exercising.
“I started coming after I had breast cancer, and I kept coming ever since,” Dicke said.
The Seniorcize exercise program began at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital more than 20 years ago under the direction of Vice President of Patient Services Deb McKee. Later the class moved to the annex building.
St. Marys resident Frieda Hay has participated in Seniorcize since the very beginning.
“We started at the hospital in 1987,” Hay said. “I’ve had two knee replacements. I did so well because I’m a walker. I’ve done these exercises every year.”
Otterbein resident Ruth Hahn suffers from osteoporosis. Due to chronic back pain, she sits during the first half of the low impact aerobics class, but is able to participate more fully during the second half of the class.
“I like using the stretch bands and weights,” she said.
Gaerke said the exercise routines can be adjusted to fit the physical limitations of anyone who participates. She also recommended that any questions about an individual’s ability to exercise be directed toward their physician.
Besides exercise, the seniors also talk about eating right and drinking plenty of fluids. They also share any information they might have read about concerning health.
Gaerke noted the class was ideal for married couples as well as singles because it was a great opportunity to spend time together while enjoying a fun activity.
“It’s good for them together,” she said. “It’s also good for stress reduction.”
Cost of the class is $10 per month for singles and $15 per month for married couples. For more information, call 419-394-3387 ext. 1130.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 19 March 2008 )
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