The start of a new year often leads people to look for ways to improve their health and fitness or to take steps to improve it. Solon Senior Support has launched a weekly fitness and exercise program to add one more option in the effort in addition to their Chair Yoga and Zumba offerings.
“We saw the success of our Chair Yoga class at the Library, and we were looking to add something that would round-out the trifecta of cardio, weights and weights training, and balance and flexibility,” said Senior Support Director Jill Weetman.
“We feel Chair Yoga covers the balance and flexibility and a physical and mental connection, and we were looking to fill in the gap to add more cardio. There is Zumba Tuesday and Friday mornings, which has cardio, so we were looking toward adding some weight work, at all ages. Lifting weights is very important; they’re finding more and more links of good health with weight training even as we get older.”
The answer was a low-impact step class with a short full-body lift exercise class led by Lindy Hopp, a Certified Personal Trainer, Senior Fitness Specialist, and Certified Nutrition Coach. Weetman and Hopp, who teaches fitness classes at the Lester Buresch Center (LBC) in Mount Vernon, had talked for several months about the possibility of offering a class in Solon.
“We thought, well, the best time to make a go of it is the new year when people are looking for a way to get healthier and stay healthier,” said Weetman.
“It’s a 45-minute class starting with cardio (movement of arms/legs) set to music then weights (of the person’s choice) We have a range of hand weights from 1-10 lbs. It does a combination of getting the heart rate up while building up muscle and bone.”
“The cardio portion involves bodyweight movements that utilize both upper and lower extremities to promote mobility and cardio capacity while also helping to prevent cognitive decline,” Hopp said. “The class ends with a full body lift using dumbbells and bands. This routine will rotate each week, and we will continue to adapt this class to meet the needs of attendees,” she added.
A short break is built-in however, participants can take a break whenever if needed, Weetman explained.
“There’s a chair next to you at all times (used for some stretching and exercises) so if you get tired you can sit down. It really lets people start where they are, you don’t have to worry about going in and being intimidated or ‘gosh, what if I need a break?’ you can just sit right down. Also, the chair adds a bit of safety too if you need to have your hand on a chair when you’re doing something (for balance or stability), that’s great too.”
As with all Solon Senior Support programs, there is no cost to participate.
“One of my goals with everything we do with Senior Support is not to have a charge attached to it. We are paying Lindy through our donations, and the Community Center allows us to use the gym for free. We also do our socials on Thursday where you can also walk or come for coffee, and we have our movie the first Monday of the month. So, we’re really working hard to do more things with the Community Center. It’s really nice that we can offer these things and not have money be an issue. We don’t want people to not be able to work on their health just because they don’t want to spend money on it, so we try to offer free options so people can stay healthy.”
The benefits of exercise goes beyond mere physical fitness, Weetman said, there is also a social component with emotional and mental benefits.
“As a pharmacist, as a healthcare professional, the saying is true – ‘Move it or lose it.’ And that’s one way to not only keep our bodies engaged as far as doing the exercising but also socially to keep our brains engaged. I think it’s turned out that Chair Yoga, and hopefully this class too, that you form a community. When someone’s not there for a class or two, someone’s going to give them a call and check in on them. If someone has surgery or an illness there’s people checking in on them and I think that’s just a wonderful community.”
Hopp agreed saying, “I’ve noticed working at the LBC is that group fitness while not personalized to each individual is a way for fitness to be very accessible and is usually a good starting point. Also, the sense of community that is created in a class is great for not just physical, but the mental and emotional health of those participating.”
While its called a ‘Senior Fitness Class,’ and the name may be changing down the road, all ages are welcome.
“We’re not going to throw somebody out if they’re 45 and want to come exercise with us,” said Weetman. “We just want people to know they’re not going to get that real tough workout that maybe they would expect at a class that’s geared toward a much younger age group.”
The first class happened to be all women, but men are very much encouraged and welcome to join in as well.
“I feel like sometimes it’s hard to get people to come the first time, but once they do, they’re hooked. Once they come, they keep coming back. So how do we make it so that you’ll come and give it a shot? For me that’s one of the main reasons why we keep everything free. You don’t have to purchase a membership, you can show up when you want to, there’s no obligation,” Weetman said.
About a dozen or so attended the first class and Weetman added if there is sufficient interest, a second class, probably on Thursdays, could be offered.
“Everything we do is based on donations, so there’s never any obligation to pay, but donations are always appreciated,” said Weetman.
Senior Fitness Class details
When – Tuesdays, 12:30-1:15 p.m.
Where – Solon Community Center, 313 S. Iowa St.
What to wear, what to bring – Wear comfortable clothes, bring a water bottle, and hand weights if you have them.
Cost – Free