Fitness

How a Birmingham Exercise Program Gives Seniors ‘1 Step 2 Fitness’ While They Sit

Published

1 month ago

October 22, 2024

How a Birmingham Exercise Program Gives Seniors ‘1 Step 2 Fitness’ While They Sit

Vanessa Kirkland is among several dozen seniors who participate in “Get Fit While You Sit” exercise classes held at various locations in Birmingham and Bessemer areas. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

By Sym Posey | The Birmingham Times

Veronica O’Neal, a retired forklift operator who lives in the Birmingham area remembers sitting at home “doing nothing” and not being mobile until she was invited to a class.

Once she arrived “the elderly people inspired me to continue to come because I feel like if they could do it, I could do it too,” she said. “The class has been really inspiring to me because I get a chance to move better than what I was.”

Charlesetta McLain is among several dozen seniors who participate in “Get Fit While You Sit” exercise classes held at various locations in Birmingham and Bessemer areas. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

The class is “Get Fit While You Sit: 1 Step 2 Fitness” held at various locations in Birmingham and Bessemer led by Sam “DJ Maestro” Anderson who teaches women ages 60 and over, including an 85-year-old, how to stay fit. The classes began in 2019 with one, and now they are held at various locations around the Birmingham metropolitan area including Titusville Senior Center, Daniel Payne Community Plaza and Bessemer Recreation Center.

“It wasn’t that big (at first) and then it just started picking up more and more,” said Anderson. “… it amazes me sometimes.”

Before his arrival in Birmingham from Detroit approximately four years ago, Anderson said he had already been part of a fitness program just to help himself. “I needed to do some exercises … I [have] a sciatic/hip problem. It’s a bone-to-bone type of thing, so it’s hard for me to stand up and do these exercises. That’s why we came up with this (One Step to Fitness), so we can sit down and still get a full body [workout].”

Once the program started to take off “we kind of packaged it, put it in a bottle and started going around doing it,” he said. “I just want to give everybody some hope.”

O’Neal, 63, said she’s “been with 1 Step 2 Fitness a little over a year. I do three classes with them a week. I do Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday,” O’Neal said. “I had a total shoulder replacement. It was just no good from working all those years. I couldn’t bend good. I couldn’t even raise my arm so now I can move very well.”

The favorite part of the class, O’Neal said,” is all of it … all of us working out together. It gives me something to do. We go out for lunch occasionally and everybody gets along well.”

Sam “Maestro” Anderson, Instructor and Lois Germany, have combined for a Get Fit While You Sit program on MYTV 68 WABM at 11 a.m. on Saturdays. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

Renee Looney, 67, has been a part of Get Fit for two years. “I had a church member, Mrs. Evelyn Blackman, that advertised it quite a bit. I knew that I needed to get into a regimen where there were other people for health reasons. I just finally decided to come, and I heard the music, and I was like wow, this is good.”

Her favorite part has been, “the exercise itself. We all have different inspirations to keep us motivated,” whether it be health related or just for personal growth.

Since joining, Looney said she has seen a major improvement in her health.

“Each time that I go to the doctor, I tell them that I continuously participate in a fitness class. When I had a few health-related issues last year, they recommended that I keep up with my physical health. I just enjoy it now. It’s a part of my life. Before I retired (from Southern Company after 18 years), I was always moving because of my job. When I retired, my mom got sick and that limited me. I took care of her for a little over three years, and now that I am in a program it helps me to keep moving.”

Lois Germany, who works with Anderson, said the program is more than about fitness.

“We create an experience,” she said. “We are not just an exercise class. We pray for each other. When someone has had surgery or been out sick, we collect money. We raffle expensive gifts at the end of class no charge to them.”

Renee Looney, left and Veronica O’Neal are participants in “Get Fit While You Sit” exercise classes held at various locations in Birmingham and Bessemer areas. (Marika N. Johnson, For The Birmingham Times)

Most of the seniors are widows and many like O’Neal weren’t doing many fitness programs. “Now they have a place to come to where they can work on their bodies and work on their minds. Most of our classes we have 40-plus members,” said Germany.

Germany is no stranger to fitness. She is the founder of the Sixth Avenue [Baptist Church] Sliders Line Dance Fitness Ministry, a group dedicated to using all line dances.

Germany said each class has their own Facebook Page so that so they can visit the page or share with their children and grandchildren. Also, she’s working with Anderson to create their new “Get Fit While You Sit” TV show which began Saturday September 28 and viewers can get fit while they sit at home by tuning in to MYTV 68 WABM at 11 a.m. on Saturdays.

Class Schedule

MONDAY:

Oxmoor Recreation Center
1992 Wenonah Oxmoor Road
Birmingham AL 35211
11 a.m.

TUESDAY:

Hooper City Recreation Center
3901 4^th Street West
Birmingham, AL
9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Hopewell Community Center
4817 Jefferson Avenue, S.W.
Birmingham, AL 35221

WEDNESDAY:

Hooper City Recreation Center
3901 4^th Street West
Birmingham, AL
9:15 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Titusville Senior Center
401 Omega Street
Birmingham, AL 35205
10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Pratt City Seniors
Daniel Payne Community Plaza
Birmingham, AL 35214
3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

THURSDAY:

Brighton Senior Center
3810 7^th Avenue North
Brighton, AL 35020
10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

Bessemer Recreation Center
100 14^th Street South, Highway 150
Bessemer, AL 35020
12 p.m. -1 p.m.

FRIDAY:

Bessemer Recreation Center
100 14^th Street South, Highway 150
Bessemer, AL 35020
12 p.m. -1 p.m.

Pratt City Seniors
Daniel Payne Community Plaza
Birmingham, AL 35214
3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m.

Fitness

A new way to exercise is now open at the Smith River Sports Complex

Published

7 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

A new way to exercise is now open at the Smith River Sports Complex

A new fitness court is now open for public use at the Smith River Sports Complex.

The fitness court, located at the Smith River Sports Complex, was completed in partnership with Aetna for its National Fitness Campaign across Virginia. It was created to cater to people ages 14 and older and with multiple levels of fitness in mind by allowing them to move at their own pace.

“We would like to thank Aetna for their support in bringing this important program to our community,” Henry County Director of Parks and Recreation Roger Adams said. “And for recognizing the need to support healthy lifestyles for all Virginians.”

The Smith River Sports Complex Fitness Court is one of the first communities in Virginia selected for the initiative, Adams said.

The fitness court base is a concrete pad with a connecting wall that features different equipment allowing users to work different muscles. The court is separated into seven different sections including: core, squat, push, pull, lunge, agility and bend.

Some of the different exercises possible on the fitness court include: mountain climbers, pushups, lunges at the lunge station, pullups, burpees and different core exercises.

“The fitness court is a wonderful example of partnerships across the public and private sectors to help break down barriers to accessible community programming,” Adams said. “Living a healthy lifestyle and taking preventative measures can help reduce the risk of developing chronic yet preventable diseases.”

“By practicing healthy habits through regular exercise on the fitness court with body weight training, individuals could significantly lower their risk of developing these diseases,” Adams said. “A body weight workout enhances coordination, balance and mobility in particular. We encourage everyone to walk, jog and cycle to our new fitness court and spend a little more time outside every day.”

“We know that when your physical health is better, your mental health is also better,” Henry County Board of Supervisors Iriswood District Representative Garrett Dillard said. “When you become a healthier community, that impacts your work, your school, your daily life.”

“We need to do better in Henry County,” Dillard said.

Henry County ranks 119 out of 133 counties in Virginia in terms of health outcomes, the county life expectancy is almost five years less than the state average, 42% of the population is considered obese and 26% of the county population reports having access to exercise opportunities, Dillard said.

“The key word there is opportunity,” he added. “Yes, we have a fair share of problems, but we also have an opportunity to solve them if we work together.”

“By partnering with Aetna, the National Fitness Campaign … the county is now able to offer free, accessible and high-quality fitness equipment for people of all ages and abilities,” Dillard said. “The fitness court is designed to bring the benefits of exercise to everyone, regardless of fitness level, and its right here in our community.”

Along with the fitness court, users can download the free Fitness Court App which provides a coach-in-your-pocket and enhances the outdoor gym with a digitally supported wellness experience.

The Martinsville-Henry County YMCA also plans to hold classes on the fitness court in the future.

“This is sure to be the first of many initiatives that will encourage healthy habits in our community,” Dillard said. “I encourage everyone to take full advantage of this incredible resource as we work together to improve the health and quality of life for everyone in our community.”

Fitness

AI-Driven Fitness Applications

Published

15 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

Ginkgo Health is preparing to launch its groundbreaking AI-driven fitness application — Ginkgo Active. Designed to deliver tailored exercise plans for managing and preventing chronic conditions, the app uses advanced algorithms to process extensive health data and create individualized prescriptions, targeting balance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. Set to be available in December, Ginkgo Health’s tool bridges the gap between exercise research and practical implementation. This move addresses a critical need for accessible, preventive healthcare solutions.

By providing dynamic adjustments based on user feedback, Ginkgo Active offers flexibility to accommodate changing needs, such as limited equipment or fluctuating energy levels. Its commitment to personalization ensures each plan evolves with the user’s progress. The app’s gamified design further fosters engagement by turning habit formation into an enjoyable experience.

Image Credit: Ginkgo Health

Fitness

High Cardiorespiratory Fitness Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

Published

22 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

High Cardiorespiratory Fitness Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

WEDNESDAY, Nov. 20, 2024 (HealthDay News) — High cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with better cognitive performance and lower dementia risk, according to a study published online Nov. 19 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Shuqi Wang, from the Tianjin Medical University in China, and colleagues examined the association of CRF with cognitive function and dementia risk, accounting for genetic predisposition for dementia. A total of 61,214 dementia-free participants within the U.K. Biobank, aged 39 to 70 years, were followed for up to 12 years. The CRF score was estimated using a six-minute submaximal exercise test and divided into age- and sex-standardized tertiles.

The researchers found that high CRF was associated with better global cognitive function compared with low CRF (β = 0.05). Overall, 553 individuals developed dementia during the follow-up period. The incidence rate ratio was 0.60 for all dementia for high CRF versus low CRF; dementia onset was delayed by 1.48 years among people with high versus low CRF. Higher CRF attenuated all dementia risk by 35 percent among those with a moderate/high polygenic risk score (incidence rate ratio, 0.65).

“Our findings suggest that maintaining favorable CRF could be a strategy for the prevention of dementia, even among people with a high genetic predisposition,” the authors write.

Abstract/Full Text