Local YMCA program keeps older adults active

This story first appeared in the December 2024 issue of Prestige, a special section dedicated to telling the stories of Iowans over the age of 55.

It’s a Monday morning, so Bernice Mitchell is at the Helen G. Nassif YMCA in downtown Cedar Rapids, dancing and moving to the music in the Enhance Fitness class.

Around Mitchell are more than 25 seniors, also moving and dancing. Some hold on to the chairs positioned around the room, others swing their arms. All of them are smiling and laughing.

For Mitchell and her fitness classmates, exercise and movement are fun. While they’re having fun in classes designed for older adults, everyone is reaping the benefits of staying physically active as they age.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, exercise has many benefits for people over 65. It reduces the risk of dementia, heart disease and falls. Exercise can improve bone strength and help people live independently longer.

Fitness activities for older adults at Cedar Rapids Metro YMCA offer a way for seniors to enjoy these benefits of exercising in a safe environment.

“We offer healthy living opportunities for all,” said Deb Greif, Metro YMCA Healthy Living director. “It’s all part of the community aspect of the Y’s mission.” The YMCA has discounted membership fees for adults over 65, in addition to a sliding fee scale.

Between the CR Metro YMCA branches downtown and in Marion, there are more than 20 classes per week specifically aimed at seniors, from tai chi and yoga to the well-known Silver Sneakers program. All of these classes focus on helping seniors stay healthy, fit and active.

While they exercise, participants also enjoy social time — many live alone, so the friendships they’ve developed at the Y add joy to their lives. Monthly potluck lunches at the Y offer more time to connect with friends.

Of course, seniors come to the Y at different fitness levels. Some, like Mitchell, have been active and fit all their lives. For others, retirement has given them a push — and time — to improve their fitness levels.

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“We see a lot of people coming in, saying ‘My doctor told me I need to exercise,’” Greif said. “Or they want to know which classes they should take to improve in certain areas.” Like improving bone density or cardiovascular health, for example.

Older Y members can take any class offered at the Y. But seniors who haven’t been active might consider starting with the classes designed for older adults as a baseline.

Kota Kinner teaches many of the Metro YMCA’s classes for seniors, including the Enhance Fitness class and Silver Sneakers Yoga, where participants stretch and move while seated on chairs, rather than on the floor.

In Kinner’s classes, participants do exercises that will improve range of motion, balance and coordination. Making sure that exercise is safe and accessible to participants who might be frail is part of certified instructor Kinner’s job.

“We have two rules in our class,” she said. “One is ‘or not.’ In other words, you can do each activity or not. You choose what you’re able to do. The other rule is ‘Don’t fall down.’” The chairs near each participant provide support as they strengthen their muscles and develop their balance.

For Mitchell, these exercise classes for older adults are an important part of her weekly routine.

“I’m getting ready to hit 70, and I’m not going to slow down,” she said. “My advice would be to just try it!”