Moving towards better health series – Part One
When I was younger – not even that long ago – whenever anyone mentioned Chair Aerobics, I usually envisioned a group of elderly folks sitting on chairs arranged in a circle holding pool noodles and swatting at a balloon to keep it airborne. Turns out, I was mistaken.
Chair aerobics is getting far better press now than in the past. More and more senior centers are offering classes that strive to include folks with all levels of ability. You can even stand up to do the workout. Most classes run ½ hour to an hour and are designed to provide folks with a good workout without needing machines or heavy weights.
Over the past year, my husband and I have begun to attend a variety of Senior and Community centers near our home. We were already attending the nearby YMCA to swim and (occasionally) work out. We also enjoy taking walks in our neighborhood, but we wanted something that added a social element as well. That’s when we discovered Senior Centers sponsored by the county. We found one near our home, and started going there a few days a week.
Chair Aerobics are fun!
They offered Chair Aerobics, so we decided to give it a try. To our delight (and my surprise), the aerobics were nothing like I had imagined. The instructor kept us moving and it turns out the chair itself is optional. As it happens, you can work up quite a sweat during the half-hour to 45-minute workout.
Once a week, an aerobics instructor named Mary Ledbetter comes to the center. She incorporates a variety of exercise equipment in our workouts. They include stretchy bands, one or two pound handheld weights, and my favorite – a ball slightly larger than your hand, but squishy enough to hold in one hand. The music she plays, such as ‘Mustang Sally’ and ‘I Got the Rockin’ Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu’ is a fun way to help keep the rhythm. Wayne and I along with several others usually stand behind our chairs and follow along.
I asked Mary if she would be willing to share some of her thoughts, insights, and experiences to help encourage others. She graciously agreed to share her joy of chair aerobics.
Learning more about Mary
Beginning life in the Outer Banks area of North Carolina, Mary’s family moved to New York when she was a child. When the company she worked for offered her a transfer to Charlotte, she jumped at the chance to return to North Carolina. An active person, Mary loves to dance. After retirement, her brother, who works for the county encouraged her to attend the exercise classes at the county-run Rec Center. She gave it a try. It didn’t take long for the Center to see her potential as an instructor. She also met Lorraine who became a good friend and mentor by guiding her to attend various trainings and classes that were a good fit for her. 12 years later, and despite a couple of surgeries, she is still going strong.
Raised by her grandmother, Mary naturally has a love for the senior population. She teaches several classes a week, with her primary focus being on seniors. Her favorite quote is “Do you!”. In other words, only do what you can do. She wants everyone to listen to their body and not do what hurts, so she says, “Do you! Don’t be intimated by anyone else”.
There are several reasons to love Mary’s class. First of all, her enthusiasm is contagious, and her lighthearted interaction with the class brings about a sense of camaraderie. She offers a short devotion and prayer at the beginning of each class which only takes a moment and adds enrichment to the folks attending. The class has a smooth rhythm of warm-up, raising the heart rate, and cool-down. All the routines are easy to follow with enough of a challenge in them to feel as if we get a good workout. She adds interest by changing up both the moves and the music regularly. When asked how someone should prepare before coming to class, she recommends that folks should wear loose or stretchy clothing, refrain from wearing dangling earrings, and bring water to keep hydrated.
Mary’s most memorable class experience was the time she taught a class for a group of folks who were blind. She said it was fantastic. Everyone had a great time – lots of laughing was involved. The only modifications she made included her being more descriptive while giving instructions. They particularly enjoyed using the squishy ball. When doing standing movements, the class held onto the table. Unfortunately, there were only four of the weekly classes, but she would love to repeat it.
Her advice to everyone is to try to be more mobile. “Get out and fellowship with others. If you can’t get out and find a class, then move your fingers or legs while sitting or watching TV”.
Give Chair Aerobics a chance
If you are currently participating in a Chair Aerobics class, good for you. If not, I’d like to encourage you to see if there are any classes offered nearby, venture out, and give it a try. If there are no classes offered in your area, Alzheimer’s Weekly offers an online option; 5-Minute Brain-Wakeup Exercise (from The Memory Foundation). They say, “Studies show this 5-minute workout wakes up your brain cells by exercising the right body muscles. Rated as a top exercise for people aged 50+, it’s low-impact and highly effective. Go ahead, it’s easy!”
Moving towards better health series – Part Two
Has your world been touched by dementia?
My book, “Finishing Well: Finding the Joy in Dementia“, is a collection of stories and tips about doing life with my Mama. May it encourage and inspire you to find joy on your own, unique journey.
I ❤️ this month’s post
Me too! I enjoyed Mary’s story.