By Ellen Braunstein
Older adults in Philadelphia are reaping the benefits of fitness classes that provide long-term physical, mental and social health.
Judy Steinberg, 84, exercises most days at KleinLife, which offers a community center for active, older adults in northeast Philadelphia.
Among the classes she takes are “Healing Movement,” “EnhanceFitness,” “Total Body Strength,” Israeli dancing, “Fit Zenergy Blend” and chair Zumba.
“It gives me more energy. My body feels looser and the muscles feel stronger,” said Steinberg, who began attending classes in 2013. “Mentally, it’s good for me. I enjoy all the classes and it’s like family there.”
Inna Gulko, director of support services at KleinLife, said the fitness classes give older adults the physical abilities that lead to independence and enhanced quality of life.
“We can see somebody who is 60 years old exercising to the same tempo and energy as somebody who is 95 years old,” Gulko said. “That’s great because they do want to live longer. Coming to exercise and socializing with friends, they are doing something for their body and mind.”
Gulko has seen people in walkers transition to canes, then walk without any equipment. “They were very persistent attending classes,” she said.
KleinLife and the Kaiserman Jewish Community Center in Wynnewood offer reduced-fee memberships to older adults in need. Through insurance membership and grants, classes can be free at KleinLife. At Kaiserman, participants with qualifying insurance benefits can take classes for free six days a week, and a low-cost membership option provides access to all classes.
“We want to make sure that it’s accessible so anyone can come and meet their goals,” said Jamie Feinstein, director of health and wellness at the Kaiserman JCC. A few hundred older adults attend weekly fitness classes there.
Lenore Volin, 81, takes classes in strength training, flexibility and cardiovascular conditioning at KleinLife. She also takes Israeli dancing and tai chi. “Each instructor has a different way of handling it, so I get all parts of my body moving,” Volin said.
The exercise eases the stresses of daily living. “I need to bring my blood pressure down with all the financial, social and family burdens,” Volin said. “Instead of just going on my treadmill at home, I get an opportunity to do so much more at KleinLife.”
Volin works on her balance and strength in prescribed classes. “Seniors complain they’re falling and have trouble with balance. I have a fear of steps carrying my laundry,” said Volin, who lives alone.
After a workout, she feels invigorated and stress free. “It benefits your body in every way. You feel more in control of your body,” said Volin, who lives a 20-minute drive from KleinLife. “If you sit in your room and feel sorry for yourself, nothing will get accomplished. You have to get out and keep active physically, mentally and socially.”
Feinstein of the Kaiserman JCC said older adults not only want to stay healthy and exercise, “they also want community and companionship in their third chapter of life.”
They cheer each other on, Feinstein said. “Exercising in a classroom benefits strength, cardio, balance and posture, but also decreases social isolation and improves overall well-being.”
Socializing comes with attending classes regularly. One participant told Feinstein that, before she joined the JCC, she could have died in her apartment and no one would have known for a few days. Now, if she misses one exercise class, three different people call to check on her.
Another woman set a fitness goal to be able to detach her grandson’s prosthetic leg. When she accomplished it independently, her family cheered for her.
Missy Silverman offers classes at KleinLife and at affordable housing communities run by the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia. She teaches older adults from their 60s to 90s and incorporates weights, stretching, breathing, yoga and dancing in her classes. “It’s a head-to-toe workout.”
Exercise helps older adults with balance and reduces injury risk, Silverman said. “It’s so important for seniors to get involved and to mindfully push themselves even when they don’t want to.”
She encourages older adults to go at their own pace, even if that means sitting in the class and just enjoying the music. “I encourage everyone to listen to their bodies. So, if they don’t feel that they can keep up, that’s OK. Everybody’s at different levels.”
The 55-year-old instructor plays music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. “Anything that I know will remind them of their youth; it just brings back a lot of good memories and good feelings.”
Silverman enjoys the socializing that takes place in class. “We feed off of the energy and it really feels good when you’ve finished.”
The participants in her classes inspire her. “I feel great when I leave because they just do so well.”
Ellen Braunstein is a freelance writer.
