Fitness focus: Seniors get together for workouts, friendship

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Frank Sinatra's "Chicago" sets the mood for two dozen seniors working their way to better health at Cape Cod Senior Fitness in Yarmouth.

Steve Crossen of Centerville opened the new senior fitness-focused facility in Boch Village in South Yarmouth in January after touring the Cape senior centers offering classes for the past five years.

Crossen became a certified trainer in 1980 and spent much of his career training athletes and younger people looking to lose weight. Then about five years ago, Crossen was out for a run and when he returned his knee swelled up to the size of a football.

The next morning he got out of bed and fell to the floor from his swollen knees. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, Crossen thought that was the end of his personal training career.

But after that diagnosis he began working with the Visiting Nurse Association, the Arthritis Foundation and the local senior centers offering classes for seniors who had the same ailment he had.

"Although it was the most negative thing that happened to me in my life, it turned into the most positive. I can't imagine a business that could have a better clientele than I have," says Crossen of the more than 200 clients he has not only at his new facility in Yarmouth, but across Cape Cod at senior centers where he still teaches.

Anyone, regardless of age, is welcome to participate.

"The classes are designed so that people who haven't worked out in a long time can come in and work out at their own pace," says Crossen, whose oldest client is a 97-year-old woman.

Fitness and friendship

Crossen offers a variety of classes in Yarmouth, including core classes Yoga, Tai Chi and Zumba. But the exercise isn't always the only motivator for participants.

Connie Farley of Yarmouth Port loves the camaraderie of the Tuesday and Thursday morning group.

"We're around in circles with chairs so you can make eye contact with people. So I think the fellowship is really great," says Farley, adding the classes give her energy.

"One of the biggest problems facing seniors is isolation and they find a sense of community right here and they do become friends," says Crossen.

During a recent class, participants discussed home remodeling and their plans after class and light-heartedly encouraged classmates.

"You're looking good," Dan Kent of Yarmouth Port told John Yosgandes of South Yarmouth during their weight-training exercises.

On Tuesday, students tapped along to "The Great Pretender" by the Platters as they tugged on multi-colored exercise stretch bands.

"A lot of people are afraid to come to a gym because they're afraid they can't do it. Here the first class is free and I don't remember anybody not coming back for a second," says Crossen, recalling a class last week when a woman joined the group and during the brief break in class several classmates engaged her in conversation.

"That's just the kind of group that we have. They are very social, very welcoming," he says.

Lida Briggs of Yarmouth Port turns 90 in two months and wasn't too interested in joining an exercise class.

"I kind of brought her here kicking and screaming from home. She was comfortable training with me at home, but ever since she's been coming to class and saw what it was about I don't think she's missed a class since," says Crossen.

"I do as much as I can and when I have to stop, I stop," Briggs says.

Marcia Bearse and her husband Newall have been taking classes since Crossen first started teaching seniors. After having knee surgery, Marcia said high impact aerobic activity was no longer an option.

"As you get older you have different ailments, so it's perfect. Steve came around right when I needed something else. I couldn't jump around on my knee anymore."

Crossen tries to keep his classes as affordable as possible for seniors. Participants can come to class 12 times a month (three times a week) for $42 a month.

"You can stay home and be sad or get out and meet people. It's especially good if you are alone," says Pat Whiteside of West Yarmouth, adding the classes have helped her mentally and physically.

"I have neuropathy in my feet and it is helping me; it's not only that but you meet people, too. We go out to lunch sometimes or for breakfast."

Despite making seniors more social, the exercise is beneficial for a variety of ailments from osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure and stroke.

"Don't hit your neighbor, right arm out to the side, sweep it across and grab your elbow," instructed Crossen with his signature sense of humor Tuesday.

Many of his clients cite Crossen as an "incentive" and motivation to attend class and he in turn is thankful for the turn of events that led him to this vocation.

"When I was training young people, I had to stay in charge because you don't want them to get hurt. Working with seniors you're never in charge. They've been around too long. They continuously give me a hard time and I love every minute of it."



Senior citizens have plenty of opportunity to get fit. Options include, but are not limited to private gyms and health clubs, senior centers, the YMCA or adult education classes.

Here is a sampling of what's available:

Yarmouth Senior Center

Call 508-394-7606 or visit yarmouth.ma.us

Health and Wellness

Aerobics, YogaTai, Chi

Chi-Kung

Young at Heart

Sit & Fit Exercise

Reflexology

Blood Pressure Clinic

Diabetic Screening

Line Dancing

Strut JazzyTap Dancing

Betsy's Ballroom Dancing

Dennis Senior Center

Call 508-385-5067 or 508-385-8414

Tap/Line Dancing

Bowling

Nutrition

Walking Group

Yoga

Barnstable Senior Center

Visit town.barnstable.ma.us/seniorservices or call 508-862-4750

Exercise classes

Better Bones

D'em Bones

Mellow Moves

Strength & Balance

Therapeutic Qi Gong

Yoga

Zumba

Cardio-Abdominal Workout

Pilates

Exercise opportunities at the Dennis Senior Center

Line dancing

Tap dancing

Square dancing

Yoga

Healthy steps

For information on dates and times, call 508-385-5067



Dennis-Yarmouth Adult Education

Visit dy-regional.k12.ma.us for schedule or call 508-398-7600

Body image: low-impact aerobics and exercise

Hatha yoga

Zumba

Additional information:

How to Lose Weight Fast wikiHow
Exercise to Lose Weight
Parents
Lose Weight Easy Walking Workout Goodhousekeeping.com
Diet and Exercise Plan for Weight Loss
Select the Best Exercise to lose weight
How to Lose Weight eHow.com
Free Diet Plans at SparkPeople
Workout Routines For Women
Lose Weight by the Weekend: A One-Week Diet and Exercise Plan
http://www.wickedlocal.com/eas...

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