Senior Health

1/13/2015 | By Terri L. Jones

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably resolved to exercise more this year. Well, lace up your sneakers and strap on your pedometer; here are a few exercise programs in the Richmond, VA area, designed to help you get in shape.

Sheltering Arms, the YMCA, and the Senior Center of Greater Richmond all offer different exercise programs in Richmond and the greater Central Virginia area.  Read more below on specific classes offered at these local fitness centers.

According to the National Institute of Health, exercise falls into these four main groups:

  1. Endurance exercises improve the health of your heart, lungs and circulatory system so you can mow the lawn and climb flights of stairs.
  2. Strength exercises build stronger muscles enabling you to carry shopping bags or lift the kitty litter out of the car more easily.
  3. Balance exercises help you to walk on uneven surfaces and not take a tumble.
  4. Flexibility exercises give you more freedom of movement as you squat to pick up acorns or twist to back out of your driveway.

Endurance and flexibility: Aquacise (Sheltering Arms)
Providing a full body workout, this advanced water aerobics class includes water walking, stretching and range of motion exercises as well as a 25-minute aerobic workout to improve cardiovascular endurance.

Strength and flexibility: SeniorLITE (Sheltering Arms)
The gentle activities in this class help increase joint flexibility, increase range of motion, maintain muscle strength and improve bone density.

Strength and flexibility: Stretch & Tone 2 (YMCA: Different classes are taught at different facilities. Check your facility for class schedule.) This class, which includes stretching, helps shape and tone muscles using with a variety of types of equipment.

Endurance and strength: Arthritis Exercise (YMCA: Different classes are taught at different facilities. Check your facility for class schedule.) For those with arthritis, this class promotes optimum joint flexibility, muscular strength, endurance, coordination and cardiovascular conditioning.

Flexibility and balance: Stretch & Strengthen Chair Yoga (Senior Center of Greater Richmond) With the support of a chair, participants stretch as well as develop strength, balance and coordination.

Endurance, strength, balance and flexibility: Gentle Strength (YMCA: Different classes are taught at different facilities. Check your facility for class schedule.): This cardiovascular workout also includes strength exercises, as well as some yoga, Pilates and balance exercises using a wide variety of music.

Before beginning an exercise program, check with your physician, particularly if you have a health condition that may restrict your activity level. Then start slow and work your way up, in terms of time and the strenuousness of the regimen. If have any problems while participating, like pain or dizziness, stop and consult your physician.

Terri L. Jones

Terri L. Jones has been writing educational and informative topics for the senior industry for over ten years, and is a frequent and longtime contributor to Seniors Guide.

Terri Jones