KINGSLAND — Frank Saffold is one of the oldest members of a program designed to improve the health of Camden County residents 55 years-old and older in more than one way.
He has been a member of the Off Our Rockers senior fitness program at the Camden County Recreation Center the past 17 years, joining shortly after the program was created. Back then, Saffold said only a handful of people showed up three days a week to work out.
At 96 years old, Saffold, of St. Marys, is considered the elder statesman of the exercise program that now draws as many as 80 participants.
“I need it. It keeps me going,” Saffold said. “Plus, it’s good company.”
Micki McGee said she started attending the program 11 years ago at the suggestion of a friend.
“When I started, there were maybe 10 to 15 people show up,” she said. “Now, it’s between 60 and 70. I think it’s absolutely fantastic.”
The program has grown mostly word of mouth and includes a variety of workout sessions to improve stability, mobility, strength and cardio.
McGee was among those who showed up 90 minutes before a fitness trainer arrived Friday for a cardio and strength training workout. She and others walked laps around the recreation center’s gymnasium, where 11 laps equals a mile.
She said she has to wear a step counter because she is often so caught up in conversation with other people in the program that she loses track of how far she has walked.
Oscar Acosta, the rec center’s fitness trainer started Friday’s workout session by explaining different exercises such as standing pushups and leg lifts people can do at home using a counter top for balance. Once the session began, Acosta played ‘50s and ‘60s music to help participants keep time during the 45-minute session.
He reminded people to maintain proper posture during the series of exercises designed to strengthen all the major muscle groups. Everyone worked at their own pace, using chairs for support during the workouts. When some participants tired, they continued moving the entire time.
“Hang tough, you’re almost there,” Acosta told participants as the session wound down.
The goal of each session is to make the exercises challenging and safe for everyone, he said.
“Muscles respond to resistance, no matter the age,” he said. “Ideally, we want to make sure we keep everyone safe from the time they arrive until when they leave.”
McGee said she attributes her good health to the fitness program and plans to continue supporting it as long as possible.
“We make sure it keeps going,” she said. “I’ve made a lot of new friends.”
Reporter Gordon Jackson writes about Camden County and other local topics. Contact him at gjackson@thebrunswicknews.com, on Facebook or at 464-7655.
from myhealtyze http://www.myhealtyze.tk/seniors-bond-during-workouts-brunswick-news/
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