Fitness for
SENIORS
How to keep moving By Aimee Heckel Staff Writer
A
lthough Allan Engel climbed rocks for 30 years, he says the idea of hitting a climbing gym at age 72 intimidates him. Swimming laps and being the slowest in the pool is intimidating, too, says the local man. As a senior looking to stay active, Engel says he found his fitness home in a boxing gym. “Boxing is a something new for the environs of Boulder,” he says. “I am not starting out at a big disadvantage. My personal limitations are less defining.” Staying active as you age is crucial — not only to physical well being but also socially, fitness experts say. That’s why many local fitness and senior centers offer special programming for the older crowd. Regular activity is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of falling, according to the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging. Exercise also helps seniors fight depression, by maintaining a social community and minimizing isolation, says Carrie Barry, owner of the Corner Boxing Club, where
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chair?” Chinatti says. “I’m in my 30s, but I still can benefit from approaching life a little differently.” Info: 303-530-4600, bouldercc.org. • The Area Agency on Aging also offers a program called A Matter of Balance, and other Boulder County organizations offer falls prevention programs, says Melissa Pruitt, the agency’s wellness services coordinator. Info: 303-441-3560, bouldercounty.org. • The Area Agency on Aging can also provide a list of more programs, such as FallProof and Neuro Fitness classes at Boulder Community Health. WALKING • Walk With Ease is the newest offering through the county’s Area Agency on Aging. It’s an evidence-based walking program developed by the Arthritis Foundation. Info: 303-441-3560, bouldercounty.org.
YOGA AND MEDITATION • Yogi CM Brown teaches two classes a week at the Louisville Recreation Center called Modified Yoga for Seniors. The classes focus on moving slowly and being present with the experience of the posture and breath to help open and deepen. Paul Aiken / Staff Photographer “As people get older, the body starts to From left to right Ellin Todd, Mike Freece and Sherry Clark C perform Tai-Chi moves during the Boulder Country Club's Athletic change,” says Brown. Center Club 55+ Balance Class. See more photos an nd a video at dailycamera.com. He says his class helps bring awareness to the changing body, as well warm water. Watsu’s movements are for only about 15 percent of Activities for seniors as provide alternative ways to move and centered on your breath, coupled with the gym’s members, they Looking to o get more active? Here are accommodate the changes. principles of alignment, stretching and have extra high participation Brown also teaches a Yoga for Hips some other senior-specific s health and opening the body. Paul Aiken / Staff Photographer levels and “their energy is and Lower Back class that’s not fitness offerin ngs around Boulder County. Info: 303-887-7554, Pamela Deis and Joe Negler toss a ball back and forth during the specifically for seniors, although most This is by no o means a comprehensive list contagious,” he says. Boulder Country Club's Athletic Center Club 55+ Balance Class. facebook.com/essentialelementwellness participants are, as well as a Meditation and is design ned to provide only Plavidal says this series Made Easy class at the Erie Community highlights. BALANCE replaced Silver Sneakers at mastering new skills. Engel goes. Center through the senior center. • The Boulder County Club has long his club because rent in BoulOUTDOORS More info: 303-954-9005, That class, conducted on chairs, is a The club offers a boxing der is too high to be sustain• Boulder County organizes a free Hike had senior programming, but it just 45-minute guided meditation designed to thecornerboxing.com. kicked off a new offering: Tai Chi Moving class for people with Parkined by a naturalist every for Seniors le able with the compensation Anytime Fitness in Boulder that Silver Sneakers offers. for Better Balance, through a partnership help senior participants become an son’s Disease, as well as a new month. Participants learn about the observer of their experiences, aches, with the CDC. area’s historyy and wildlife. Info: “Old Broads Boxing Class,” as reports a “significant senior Instead, Anytime Fitness pains, thoughts and emotions — to see Classes are free to members of the program” offered for free for bouldercoun nty.org, 303-678-6214, claims to be the second-cheapthe participants in this allthem in a calming, centering, objective club. You can find the class, open to the members six days a week. lcolbenson@ @bouldercounty.org. est health club in Boulder. women’s class asked to playway, Brown says. public, at other centers around town, too. Classes range from circuit • The Boulder Women’s 40+ Walking The result of the senior profully be called. The senior-speDepression can be common among Right now, the club is conducting a 12training to core work to Hiking Socia al Group on Meetup.com has gramming? cific classes have longer week test of the program’s effectiveness, seniors, says Brown, a senior himself. yoga. Friday even boasts a more than 86 60 members. The club The “massive improvement” warm-ups and more emphasis “There can be a feeling of loss, in the says Michelle Chinatti, group fitness high-intensity interval class, organizes wa alks on area trails of varying of fitness for members age 50 way the body is functioning and the on neurologic challenges and for seniors looking for an director. The program provides difficulty. The ey’re currently organizing a to mid-80s, Plavidal says. changes in relationships ... the loss of a participants graphs to explain risks for dynamic balance (such as bal- extra challenge. new Friday lu unchtime hike. More info: 303-443-1611, partner and friends,” he says. “This helps fall based on certain markers, she says. ance in motion), Barry says. Info: meetup.com/boulder-womens“Honestly, the most power- anytimefitness.com. people see there is a much deeper “Tai Chi relates to your every day She says exercise also can up. walking-grou ful thing we have here with experience of themselves that does not life. There are a lot of movements where help seniors improve the qual- our club is our fit senior comWATER FITN NESS depend on external circumstances. They you’re standing on your tiptoes to reach ity of life by fostering indepen- munity. It’s awesome,” says Aimee Heckel: 303-473-1359, • For some ething different than aqua can find a place of calm and well being into the cabinet, so how do you keep dence and spark the exciteheckela@dailycamera.com or owner Greg Plavidal. aerobics, tryy Watsu, a gentle, passive within themselves.” yourself from falling over? Or getting out ment of learning and Although seniors account twitter.com/aimeemay blend of Shia atsu and bodywork done in Info: 303-396-9023, of the car, standing up from a
openspaceopenmind.net. HOME EXERCISE • Gunbarrel-based Body Bar (weighted exercise bars) offers a variety of at-home workouts and DVDs in its Fit For Life exercise series. The series offers various movements to build strength, stability and mobility through functional movements. Body Bar’s Aquaflex program is also aimed at the aging population. More info: 303-938-6865, bodybar.com/body-bar-store/fit-for-lifedvds. • In addition, the National Institute on Aging offers a free exercise booklet and DVD. Info: 800-222-2225, nia.nih.gov. • Also, check out the senior exercise program on Channel 8, as well as Boulder’s free Forever Fit classes online at bouldercolorado.gov/channel8/ forever-fit. DANCE • The city of Boulder’s Senior Services offers dance classes, such as Let’s Dance, set to a variety of music (including world music), Line Dancing, Music and Movement (which can be done in a chair or on your feet) and more. The lengthy calendar also includes ballroom dancing, jazz dance for seniors and Cuban and Cha Cha styles. Info: 303-441-4150, bouldercolorado.gov/seniors. SPECIALIZED NEEDS • The YMCA of Boulder Valley offers a wealth of senior programs, as well as a Yoga for Cancer Care class, taught by Cary Paul. The class, for people who have been diagnosed with cancer and are in treatment or recovery, is gentle and focuses on working through scar tissue, building strength and balance, strengthening the immune system, connecting with others in similar situations and managing other side effects of cancer treatments. Info: 303-442-2778, carypaulyoga.com, ymcabv.org. • You can find Ageless Grace classes, under the SilverSneakers FLEX program, every week at Joy in Motion Studio in Boulder. Classes run 1:15-2 p.m. starting March 10. Ageless Grace is a brain fitness program based on neuroplasticity that taps into five different functions of the brain, as well as 21 different physical skills. Info: Contact Laura Olinger for this and other senior-specific classes, 303-8178210, ljolinger@comcast.net, agelessgrace.com.
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