Besides a small walking and running track, weights, and other fitness machines, the Kalona YMCA also offers senior fitness classes. Large groups of senior citizens have been showing up to these classes to improve multiple facets of their overall health as well as to exercise with fellow seniors and make friends. 

In Kalona, classes are held every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Designed to get older bodies moving in a range of motions, the seniors can be seen stretching many different parts of their bodies including, but not limited to, arms, legs, back, and shoulders. Other tools such as light weights also are used to improve the effects the exercises have on their bodies. 

Instructor Angie Boyse teaches the class on Mondays and Wednesdays. She discusses what each class entails when she is the instructor. 

“My focus on Mondays and Wednesdays is a little bit more strength-focused. We use light weights, work on upper body strength,” Boyse said. “We also work on mobility and making sure that we are stretching and warming up, getting some joint movement in there. We will also work a little bit on balance,” Boyse continued.

Boyse encourages her class to keep moving outside the confines of the YMCA building. 

“Get outside and enjoy the sunshine, get out and move. Those kinds of things. I usually encourage them to do that,” Boyse added.

Obviously, getting older is a part of life. Increased visits to the doctor, stiffness in joints throughout the body, and a forgetful mind are some of the many common symptoms of aging. Boyse points out the many benefits seniors get from attending her classes. 

“It is important for them to move, so just getting them into that mindset of moving at least 30 minutes a day,” Boyse begins. “Also, the camaraderie it brings too. A lot of them [participants] stay after and have coffee or talk. There are quite a few that walk on the track afterwards as well, so I think physical health, emotional, and mental health are the three main things they usually take away from the class.”

One participant said the class has made them more social. 

“It [the class] does not look like you are getting a whole lot of exercise if you are standing up watching, but when you actually do it [participate], you have a good workout,” they said. “It makes you feel good.”

Instructor Boyse welcomes anyone that wishes to join the class with open arms. 

“Everyone is very nice and open. They [new participants] can start at any level, knowing that even if they are not able to lift any of the weights, we have participants that come and move their body weight,” Boyse said. “Everything that we do in class can always be modified to whatever that person’s needs are.”

Exciting things may be on the horizon for the senior classes at the Kalona YMCA. Boyse explains what new opportunities she hopes to see available for the seniors in the future. 

“We are going to hopefully add some additional senior classes and programming to our current schedule come November, so that is exciting,” Boyse stated.

Anyone that is interested in taking part in the senior classes at the Kalona YMCA can call 319-653-2141 if they have any questions about the program or visit their website, washingtony.org, to see more information about the senior classes. Membership for seniors is just $30 per month for anyone residing outside of Kalona. For residents of Kalona, a senior membership requires no monthly payment, but an annual payment of $85. 

Senior fitness classes are also offered at the Wellman Parkside YMCA on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m.  Seniors over the age of 62 pay $30 monthly for membership, or $360 yearly.

YMCA of Washington County CEO Amy Schulte noted that most senior members of the county’s YMCAs, including Kalona and Wellman, receive free memberships through their Medicare supplement plan, as it is one of the benefits.

If you are looking for multiple ways to exercise and stay fit while gaining a few new friends along the way, a membership at the YMCA might be the thing for you.