Copyright keenesentinel
WINCHESTER — A small group of senior citizens took part in Tuesday’s Age in Motion class at the ELM Memorial Community Center. Age in Motion instructor Pam Durkin led participants through various exercises to improve their physical fitness. Durkin said physical therapists helped design many of these exercises, which gives her confidence that “they’re positive exercises for seniors.” Throughout the hour-long class, Durkin had people use light weights and perform exercises focused on balance, stamina, strength training and mobility. She alternated between having participants do upper and lower body exercises so they wouldn’t tire out. Durkin encouraged people to modify exercises as needed. “I love when people come back and say to me, ‘I can tie my shoes again. I can stand up and put my pant legs on. I feel so much stronger,’ “ Durkin said. As people age, they lose muscle mass and strength. Balance and mobility can also decline the older one gets. Regular physical activity can help people age more gently, allowing them to maintain a better quality of life for longer. Peter Eisenstadter, who recently turned 80, said he first heard about Age in Motion from Durkin. Because of his bad hip, Eisenstadter said he struggles with some of the mobility exercises. But he said he can still do 25 pushups because of the practice he gets in class. “My physical fitness doesn’t deteriorate as fast as it would like,” Eisenstadter said. “The longer you do it, the longer you can do it.” Durkin said her average class is between eight and 12 people. Some participants have been in their 50s, but she said the majority are in their mid-60s through their 80s. One attendee of Tuesday’s class, Carol Bercher, is 91, making her the second-oldest regularly participating member. “I wanted to keep fit, and it’s a good way to do it,” Bercher said. “Plus it’s the camaraderie. I live alone. This gets me out. I meet all these people and have fun.” In addition to Age in Motion’s physical health benefits, group members said they also appreciate the camaraderie the class fosters. Durkin said one incentive group members have to return is the chance to get out of the house and spend time with their friends and neighbors. She said some people will make more of a social engagement out of the activity by going out to eat with other members after class. “I’ve done it for almost 20 years, and I believe it’s a valuable program for seniors in the social and the physical aspect,” Durkin said. She said she ends classes with some gentle stretching and music because “it lightens the mood, and they go out feeling good.” Age in Motion classes, which are donation only, take place twice weekly at the ELM Memorial Community Center at 21 Durkee St. in Winchester on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 a.m.
