Some say "70 is the new 50." Observing the Active Seniors fitness class at the Kannapolis, N.C. YMCA proves every word of that statement.
The National Institute on Aging says that staying active can help you:
- Keep and improve your strength so you can stay independent.
- Have more energy to do the things you want to do. Improve your balance.
- Improve your balance.
- Prevent or delay some diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
- Perk up your mood and help reduce depression.
- Maintain joint health.
Debbie Green, health and fitness coordinator at the Kannapolis Branch of the Cannon Memorial YMCA, put it simply: "I think it makes them last longer. I think it gives them community, where they feel they have a part. Some of their spouses have died. So, it gives them friends and someone to be accountable to, a place to go, and actually workout. We also do a devotional afterwards."
The class, which meets on Tuesday and Thursday, has as many as 20 to 25 participants. The 60-minute class covers all the important types of exercise a senior should have, endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. Not everyone in the class is on the same the level.
"These are active seniors. I'd like there to be more classes here. One day I'm going to be a senior and I'd like to be taken care of. Sometimes I feel seniors are taken for granted. But actually, I think they you should reach out to them. Not just the young people should, but allfrom the womb to the tomb," Green said. The class has 30 minutes of aerobics and 30 minutes of weights, balance and flexibility. Everyone moves with the music, although maybe not all together and at the same time. Jan Johnson, a 60-year-old veteran of the class, has been doing aerobics for 10 years. "You just feel so good all over. Anytime I leave here I'm breathing better. I just feel good overall. When I miss, I notice it," Johnson said. Johnson also does an abs class twice a week, and walks about 30 minutes daily, but there is more than exercise for these seniors. "I have been in this area for three years. I have met so many people here. We go out to lunch. We just do things together," Johnson said. Carol Whitley, a 70-year-old former reporter of the Independent Tribune during the early '70s, had just started the class in January but has already lost three pounds. "I am working a lot of the arthritis out of my joints. You may not have noticed, but I got up off the mat without having to hold on."
Janice Hancock, 60 years old and an ex-marathon runner, thinks Green does a great job. "I use to run all the time. I ran a marathon. I gave that all up. This is perfect, and this is what I tell everyone. She is excellent with this class. She pushes us a bit more, but also makes us feel comfortable if you can't do it," Hancock said. "She doesn't keep after you. She wants you to go at your speed," Whitley said. "None of us pay attention to what anyone else is doing. We are all just trying to stand up and not fall flat on our face," Hancock said. Exercise can relieve stress, build strength, help you lose weight, find new friends and prolong your life. Can it do anything else? Judy Graeber recently had both knees replaced, and started the class to help her recover. "There is less pain and less tightness in my knees. I have more flexibility, and I can squat. Debbie will modify the exercise for me. I live in Concord, but I choose to come to Kannapolis for the camaraderie," Graeber said. It's wasn't just camaraderie Graeber found at the Y. Four years ago while swimming laps in a crowded pool, she asked a man, Ron Esser, if she could share his lane. "After the laps, he asked for my number," Graeber said. They've been dating ever since. "He comes to the gym six days a week. If he hadn't encouraged me after the knee replacements, I would never have gotten out of bed. It's hard to make you want to get out after something so traumatic," Graeber said. "She does it pretty much on her own. I help a little bit. We're still getting along. We hit bumps every now and then, but she helps me get over them," Esser said. Always check with your physician before starting any exercise routine.
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