Stay in shape

SANDUSKY — Senior citizens can get moving with local fitness opportunities. Area gyms and fitness centers offer programs catered toward older individuals, whose physical fitness is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Here's a rundown of places local seniors can exercise or learn more about health and fitness: Health and Strength Gym Health and Strength Gym in Sandusky utilizes the SilverSneaker program to support local seniors. According to Don Bozicevich, owner and president of Health and Strength Gym, the SilverSneaker program is offered through insurance so seniors can be active at the gym for free. Bozicevich said SilverSneakers helps people stay active, tone muscle and overall have a better quality of life. The gym offers three hour-long classes: chair yoga, SilverSneaker classic and SilverSneaker circuit. Classes are offered daily at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and 10 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays through Fridays. Four instructors teach the classes: Barbara List, Barbara Anderson, Cindra Mielke and Hanna Castle. SilverSneaker classic and SilverSneaker circuit are the more intense classes for those who are looking to jog, bounce around and do more movement compared to chair yoga which is a slower, but still effective class. Barbara List teaches a chair yoga class at Health and Strength Gym on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024. Register photo/JOLENA GIOIELLO In List's yoga class, her 20 senior students use equipment like stretch bands, balls and chairs for breathing exercises, stretches and yoga poses while listening to relaxing music. Throughout her class time, she jokes with her students to encourage them and keep things fun. After completing one of their stretches, she was ready to play basketball and told her students to do two more arm movements in their set because they were young enough to do so. At the end of every class, List gives an important message to her students. "Remember our lives aren't measured by the breath we take, but by the moments that take our breath," List said. She believes this is an important message for her seniors to hear because so many others spend their time sitting at home. List, who is in her 70s, stressed the importance of movement and getting out at an older age. "The worst thing seniors can do is sit at home," List said. "When they come into class, they are actually moving." List said she hosts these classes so her students feel good, be active and stay positive. "You can't stay at home and expect your body can carry you, that's number one," List said. "Number two, you can meet people." Erie County Senior Center The Erie County Senior Center is helping older citizens through chair exercises, chair yoga and tai chi classes. Tia Chi is the only class at the center that has a charge. The first class is free then every class after has a $6 fee. The other exercise classes are both free. "Each exercise class utilizes minimal difficulty," senior center director Robert Fitzgerald said. "The instructor keeps in mind the clientele that is attending and makes sure movements are slow and methodical." Fitzgerald said these classes are put on as a way to keep seniors moving and healthy. Under the instruction of the center's activities director, JaneAnn Cummings, seniors will do gentle stretches and flexibility exercises from their seats every Thursday at 11 a.m. Following the workout, participants end the session with a group beachball activity. Chair exercises are a way for a senior to work their body from head to toe. The class starts with movement in the head, neck, arms and shoulders. The upper body movement can improve the student's core muscles. After shoulders, students work their legs with stretching and marching in place. To help with arthritis and circulation, Cummings directs hand stretching exercises. "Using the beach ball helps with hand-eye coordination," Fitzgerald said. "The classes also provide for a time of socialization and gaining friendship." An important part of participating in chair exercises is laughter. Fitzgerald said it is good medicine for the soul. On Mondays, instructor and licensed social worker Tracy Byington from Family Health Services leads chair yoga. Chair yoga is for seniors who want to build strength, flexibility or relieve stress. Tai chi is offered every Tuesday and Thursday to those who are looking to lower their blood pressure, improve their flexibility or relieve stress and arthritis. Master Dennis White of White Tiger Martial Arts leads seniors through his sessions. Each of these classes are about 45 minutes long. According to Fitzgerald, the Tai Chi class can sometimes run longer at 1 hour to 1 hour and 10 minutes. Seniors can benefit from these classes by improving their flexibility, stretching and balance. "Studies have shown that a consistent exercise routine lowers blood pressure and improves immunity and can promote positive mental health," Fitzgerald said. Serving Our Seniors Serving Our Seniors has various resources listed on its website related to senior fitness. The organization also offers self-help booklets including Growing Stronger: Strength Training for Older Adults. This is a 126-page book on starting a health journey. The book includes steps on how to get started, knowing one's own limits, exercises suitable for seniors and a 12-week log sheet to measure progress. According to Sue Daugherty, executive director of the organization Serving Our Seniors, recommends discussing limits with doctors, nurse practitioners or physical therapists. Once a person knows what they can handle, and is ready to start their fitness journey, Serving Our Seniors can show Erie County residents 60 and older how to track their progress in the book. Seniors can find the book online or call Serving Our Seniors for a printed copy. They are free to Erie County residents. Another offering Serving Our Seniors offers is helping seniors start programs. "If there are six or more people, age 60+, interested in starting an exercise group, as described in the Getting Stronger booklet, Erie County residents should call to let us know by calling 419-624-1856," Daugherty said. "Ask for Tina Sluga, Health Care Advocate Trainer. We will work to find an organization to take this project on." Open Way Yoga Open Way Yoga in Huron is a place for seniors to learn from one of their own. One of the studio's instructors, Beverly Henderson, is 87 years old and is the studio's Senior Stretch instructor. She offers the class every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and has been teaching this class for the past seven years. The first class is free for those to try. After the tryout, the studio offers an intro deal. Participants can sign up for 30 straight days of yoga for $30. This deal is good for all classes in Huron and those offered by Sandusky Rec, like its Tai chi class. At the end of the deal, yoga students could pay $49 per month for unlimited classes, $18 for single classes or $75 for a five-class package. The Senior Stretch class was designed by Henderson and her son, Brian Henderson, who also works at the studio. Each class features practices from Tai chi, yoga and other movements. Even though the class has "senior: in its name, they are open to all ages and ability levels. Seniors are also welcome to join any other class the studio offers. "Mom calls her class The Gateway," Brian said. "People come there, see what's up. Mom can then help make good suggestions for other classes." Every Senior Stretch class is different, but they all focus on joint work, stretches, balance and breathing to help flexibility, strength and overall vitality. "It is important that seniors see this 'old' person moving," Brian said. "Seniors need to realize that aging is not an excuse not to exercise or move." Brian said movement is important to keep people healthy and mobile. Movement does not have to be demanding to be effective. Beverly has experience in education and has been practicing Tai chi, yoga, light weight lifting, gardening, bath exercises and other movement for years. "She always has her eye out for new and interesting things to learn," Brian said.