Senior Matters: stretch and strengthening class

Many senior citizens have joint problems, whether it is arthritis or otherwise so it is crucial to minimize stress on these joints by moving them.

Stretch class participant Gloris Peterson said, “When you come in new, they make you feel so welcomed. Every joint is worked while you’re here. So, it’s just a good way to feel invigorated if nothing else when you leave.”

Peterson is reaching out to rejuvenate and has been for nearly a decade now. Gloris tells News 25 eight-years-ago she was looking for a way to stay active and when she saw the group doing exercises in the stretch and strengthening classes, she figured this would be a good fit for her. “Since then I guess you could say I have been a really faithful member of the group.”

Senior Specialist Gwen Johnson said, “This class benefits the seniors because they are able to stretch and strengthen their muscles and it gives them an opportunity to keep the arthritis at bay.”

Sitting, standing, and using resistance bands are all different modes of exercises aimed at helping and healing arthritic pain which is what the class is intended for. The movements come from the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program.

Even though the exercises are made to help with arthritic pain, it can overall help the ailments that come with aging, but just about anyone can do these exercises. These exercises really help the seniors to hit parts of their bodies that they normally wouldn’t move.

Roberta Jones began the class as a participant, but her passion led her to become an instructor. “When I started doing it I was just really inspired because there were people who were 95 and 85 and 75 doing stuff so I figured I could do it. Every time I come I know I can still do it because I’m younger than they are.”

Some of the participants are well into their eighties and nineties and have been doing these exercises for more than 20 years.

If you are interested in the stretch and strengthening classes, they are held at 2:30 Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the Donal Snyder Senior Center.

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