JACKSONVILLE —
Up one, down two, stretch three.
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday senior citizens gather in the Family Life Center at the First Baptist Church to exercise their aches and pain away.
Gene Fincher and Ted Warren alternate directing the low impact exercise class that started over 20 years ago.
Frances Green, the second person to ever direct the class, said the program originated from the University of Michigan.
“It's called the SMILE program — So Much Improvement with Little Effort,” she said. “There were manuals distributed to all senior centers in the United States.”
Green said she directed the class for approximately three years followed by Lois Davis, and both still attend the exercise classes.
“I got stuck in the hospital but now Gene and Ted alternate,” Davis said. “It's a very good program that works every muscle.”
The class takes 30 minutes and there are different exercises for every bone and muscle. Sitting in a large circle as a group, the exercisers do everything including hip rotations, squats and wall push-ups.
Alma and David Rodriguez are one of the newest couples attending the program. Alma said the exercise class has made a difference in her life.
“I have Rheumatoid arthritis and the doctor said I needed to exercise,” I had been to (YMCA) and to 24 Hour Fitness, but it was too much for me,” she said. “I would come home worse. This class is a lot better for me because it is low impact.”
Each member is encouraged to do as much as their body allows them to. Fred Montgomery has been attending the classes for the past three years. He first arrived using a cane and now a cane is nowhere in sight.
“A doctor referred me here and praise God for the small favors,” he said. “If it hadn't been for this class, I'd probably been dead by now.”
Kitty Downey, also a member of the class, said the class is open to anyone needing a little exercise in their lives. Copies of instructions are available.
Local News
Related Photos
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As Gene Fincher leads a group through a low impact exercise class, senior citizens work out different muscles to remain active and to stay healthy. Progress photos by Marivel Resendiz
Discussion
July 23, 2012
Free low impact exercise classes offered to senior citizens
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