www.the-papers.com
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Serving Kosciusko County and parts of Elkhart, Marshall & Noble Counties
ELECT
Kimberly
CATES
“Experienced & Engaged” “I will listen and represent you.”
Kosciusko County Council Paid for by the committee to elect Kimberly Cates.
Vol. 51, No. 43
Milford (574) 658-4111 • Warsaw (574) 269-2932 • Syracuse (574) 457-3666
114 W. Market, Warsaw, Indiana 46580
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7H[W DQG 3KRWRV %\ .(,7+ .1(33 6WDII :ULWHU For many older adults, physical fitness isn’t given the priority in their lives it probably should. Numerous studies, and common sense, show that seniors who exercise at least three times a week have fewer health-related issues in their lives. Medicare and private insurance companies agree with those assessments and often provide incentives to their clients, such as discounted gym memberships. What many area seniors don’t know is they can be part of the Silver Sneakers program at the Parkview Warsaw YMCA, likely at no cost to them. All members of the Y can exercise in the daily classes, but even non-members are welcome to stop by with their Medicare/insurance card in hand to determine whether they qualify for free participation. Silver Sneakers instructor Dawn Weed leads classes five days a week. The “Classic Silver Sneakers” program takes place from 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. It focuses on strength training, balance and stability, utilizing hand weights, handled stretch bands and nine-inch rubber balls as exercise tools. Yoga Silver Sneakers classes are held from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and are geared primarily toward balance and stability. Participants in both types of classes also have a chair at their disposal, on which they can sit or stand next to for balance, depending on their comfort level or individual needs. “All the classes are at your own pace,” said Weed. “We have had
many people participate as they recover from an accident, illness or injury and are working back to being fit. You can sit or stand; we work on multiple levels. I always say, ‘If it hurts, don’t do it.’” Weed has received numerous Silver Sneaker certifications that allow her to lead the classes. She began teaching at the Y in 2014, shortly before they moved into the existing facility in December of that year. She discovered the Silver Sneakers program while visiting her mother in Texas. She accompanied her to a couple of classes and came back to Indiana thinking, “Boy, I need to do this!” Since then, she has become trained in various teaching roles, as well as in disciplines such as balance and stability, health and nutrition and stress management, all of which work together to provide her students with a well-rounded health and fitness regimen. “It’s nice to have people say this has made a difference in their lives,” Weed said. “They say they are steadier on their feet, can breathe better and feel healthier. There are lots of benefits for taking classes at the Y. It’s also a very social atmosphere where people can meet new friends. A lot of times people go out to lunch together after class.” She added that some of her students are making their way back to class following the pandemic. Many have said it was something missing in their lives during the last two years. Weed said it is okay to take a little while to get back into shape, and the self-paced program is an ideal way to do it. The Y offers other fitness classes for active older adults. Some are
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“land-based,” such as the Enhanced Fitness Class that takes place from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and involves an even split between cardiovascular exercises and strength conditioning. Other classes, including water aerobics, take place in the facility’s
pool. They also offer the Livestrong program for cancer survivors of all ages at low or no cost. Additional information, including a class schedule, can be found at www.kcymca.org. You can also call (574) 269-9622 or stop by 1305 Mariners Drive, Warsaw.