By James Pruitt jpruitt@digitalfirstmedia.com Twitter: @BigPruitt

Enhance Fitness group with instructors Pam Mansfield (back row, second from left) and Karen Brannon (front row, third from left).

program offered at the Center is an evidence-based exercise program called Enhance Fitness (EF). This program is a low-cost, highly adaptable exercise program offering levels that are challenging and safe for older adults of all ability levels. One-hour group classes include stretching, flexibility, balance, low-impact aerobics, and strength-training.

Pat Flinn has been an EF participant for nearly six years. After I lost my husband, I needed to have a purpose to get out and stay active. I dragged my sister Jan to this exercise class and weve both been enjoying the physical benefits and friendships weve made. We have some members who stay in their chairs to exercise, but I like to challenge myself with extra weights, extra repetitions, and a faster pace. Its adaptable to your own needs, thats what makes it so great.

The outstanding success of Enhance Fitness is its positive participant outcomes. EF participants have shown a 52 percent improvement in depressive symptoms and 35 percent improvement in physical functioning. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) also published a study showing that Enhance Fitness showed promising evidence to drive down total healthcare costs, decrease unplanned hospitalizations, and decrease mortality rates for participating Medicare beneficiaries.

The Chelsea Senior Center partners with the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan (NKFM), who currently holds licensing for EF programs in 26 sites throughout Metro Detroit and Flint. All EF instructors are group

exercise and CPR certified, but also receive a special EF training and certification. Twice a year, NKFM staff come out to Chelsea and run fitness checks to measure EF participants physical status. These fitness checks measure any change in physical ability, upper and lower body strength or endurance, and balance.

Ken and Vi Johnson are new Chelsea residents who moved here from Minnesota to be closer to family. In their 80s, the Johnsons realized they were not getting the exercise they needed and made a commitment after Vis hip surgery to get back in shape. The program is very good and manageable. The instructor is always very

encouraging and reassures us that its OK to do it at your pace. Weve been in the program for two months and can recognize changes in the way we walk and are looking forward to being more physically fit.

Read more from the original source:
Senior Center offers Enhance Fitness in Chelsea, Grass Lake

PLENTY of us are looking to be more active to help our health but sometimes we don't know the means are right in front of us.

The Get Out Get Active program is all about giving women in Somerset a chance to discover some of the activities on offer in their area.

The program includes free come and try sessions for many of the activities and is a great way to find out what activities you enjoy.

Classes are free and are being offered as women only sessions during March, April and May.

Activities on offer include zumba, boot camp, martial arts, aqua aerobics, yoga, fitness classes and walking groups.

Aqua aerobics will be the first activity running during March at locations throughout the region - on Tuesday, March 24 from 2pm-2.45pm at the Kilcoy Aquatic Centre, on Thursday, March 26 from 6.30pm-7.30pm at the Lowood Swimming Pool, on Saturday, March 28 from 9.30am-10.30am at the Esk Swimming Pool and on Monday, March 30 from 2pm-3pm at the Toogoolawah Swimming Pool.

Somerset Regional Council Mayor Graeme Lehmann said it was a great list of activities.

"I encourage female residents of the region to come and try these free sessions with local businesses," he said

Having received funding from the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sports and Racing to deliver sessions to women, the council is hoping to improve participate rates of females in sport and recreation.

For more information, phone the council on 5424 4000.

Excerpt from:
Get out and be active in Somerset