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Walking By Karen Dobe, DPM
Young at heart and enthusiastic
By Chet Gallup
Twice a week a hearty group of 20 individuals, young at heart and enthusiastic, gather at the Mary Spitzer Senior Center on Ashland Street in North Adams to step lively to music of their era.
They gather Tuesdays and Thursdays each week at 1 p.m. as couples, individuals, and in groups. All have become close friends. Program and Fitness Director Ron Hansen of the Northern Berkshire YMCA instructs the 45-minute sessions.
"This aerobics class is free to individuals over the age of 55 thanks to funding provided by a grant from the REACH Foundation of Northern Berkshire Health Systems." Hansen said. We tried several approaches including classes at some of the larger elder housing projects, but this class is the one that really clicked and took off."
With no jumping and hence no joint stress, the cardiovascular workout is labeled non-impact. Fifteen minutes of aerobic stepping is followed by weight lifting consisting of instructor-prompted arm motions while holding weights ranging from 2 to 5 pounds each. Note that weight lifting is done one limb at a time. Next, after the arm weights are put away, leg extension exercises are done with weights Velcro-strapped to the calves. All weights are supplied by the Spitzer Center.
No one is pressured to do any exercise that they find uncomfortable or stressful. Ages in the class range up to a high of 90 years of age – represented by a gentleman who actively participates.
The Spitzer Center hosts the classes and Director Sandy Lamb feels the class
has great value. " The aerobics class has been a very successful program at
the center, many of the participants have been faithfully attending since it
first started. Exercise classes have become increasingly popular here and we
appreciate the Northern Berkshire
YMCA and Program Director Ron Hansen for making this class
available to us."
The class stops to rest frequently and sprinkled among frequent breaks are joke telling sessions by Raymond Guerin. The jokes, accompanied by belly laughs and comments from the class, range from topics of elevators, broccoli, and fishing equipment to Big Jim and the twins. Comments, aside from the jokes, include news of friends, shopping tips, and business. Joan Ziter, who retired and moved back to town in October not only enjoys the jokes, but also likes just being with everybody. She also attends an osteoporosis class on Thursdays, which she says is not as strenuous.
Director Lamb refers to the group as her spirited cutups, "they always have such a great time."
Raymond’s wife Daisy likes the class. "We have been going for over a year," she said. "Some days we feel sluggish. No energy. But, we come to the class and it perks us up – we feel good again."
Hansen states that seniors are more and more realizing that they have to stay fit to be active as well as healthy. In addition to the aerobics class, the North Adams YMCA offers other senior programs. These include water aerobics where the pool not only adds a sense of warmth, but also buoyancy; personal fitness consultations; and access to the Wellness/Fitness Center – all at reduced senior rates under the YMCAid program.
Some of the class members supplement their aerobics with walking. Among these are Ted and Ruth Pytko both of whom like getting out and doing things. In the summer, they are members of the Center’s walking club and walk on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Ted, who has had open-heart surgery, says "the exercise keeps me going."
Lois Daugherty walks every morning. "I like the class, the social part of it is nice. We are all out there trying to stay healthy." Mary Dassatti agrees, "I like the people, the exercises and just going through it all as a group," she said.
Hansen stresses that the social aspect is an important factor. "It’s a fun group and over time we have come to know each other quite well. The jokes are great! We also get together outside of the center twice a year. By contributing a dollar a week, we manage to eat out at the end of 12 or 13 weeks. Last week, 26 of us ate at the Four Acres Restaurant in Williamstown and had a wonderful time."
Class enrollment is open to anyone over 55. For more information, contact Spitzer Center Director Sandy Lamb at (413) 662-3125.