Seated aerobics overcome mobility and balance issues

Chairobics is a perfect fit for older folks seeking to stay active but who have mobility or balance issues. Some of the participants in a recent class I attended at Kaiser Permanente’s Pensacola clinic had difficulty walking; some used assistive devices such as canes, walkers or wheelchairs; and others were recovering from injuries.

The class included a warm-up, stretching, low-impact range-of-motion exercises, and strength training with weights. Participants should be capable of continuous exercise for about a half-hour, but everything is done while seated. If physical assistance is needed, a caregiver can tag along to the class.

The workout gradually progresses to more accelerated and isometric types of movements, and participants can move at their own pace. We did leg and arm raises and sidesteps, and tossed balls into the air and caught them to work on hand-eye coordination.

Lee Ann Gabriel brought her mother-in-law, 86-year-old Dorothy Wong, to class. "The exercises engage the different muscle groups," Gabriel said. "This is great for the seniors. They stay seated but get a good workout."

Instructor Skip Ludloff says the goal of Chairobics is to improve cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength and endurance, and flexibility. Equipment used includes exercise balls, free weights and resistance bands.

"A real-life benefit would be preventing a fall," he said. Ludloff has been teaching aerobics for the past 30 years. He designed Chairobics because "everyone was getting older and balance issues were a consideration."

Carolyn Stokes, a participant in her early 60s, began taking the class after dealing with numerous injuries. "(When I started), these 90-year-olds were zooming past me," she said. "I was frustrated and wanted to give up but got to the point where I can move again."

The workout helped restore her confidence. "It helps you get back in touch with yourself," she said.

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“Tryouts” features exercise and wellness classes and other fitness activities. Reach Nancy Arcayna at narcayna@staradvertiser.com or call 529-4808.