Active Lives for Older Adults
The YMCA offers Active Older Adult fitness and aquatic classes to help senior citizens stay strong and independent. We also offer social events and activities at both of our locations. Contact Shashu Baraka, Active for Life Director, at 269-459-4856 for more information.
Enhance® Fitness
Enhance Fitness is an evidence-based group exercise program for older adults that uses simple, easy-to-learn movements that motivate individuals (particularly those with arthritis) to stay active throughout their life. Each class session includes cardiovascular, strength training, balance, and flexibility exercises and the fostering of strong social relationships between participants.
Class Locations
- Maple
Classic Strength
We've combined components of Enhance Fitness® and SilverSneakers® Classic to offer a chair fitness class that incorporates no impact/low-intensity cardio, strength, and core with the use of hand weights, resistance bands, ankle weights, and small balls. This is a healthy aging focused class; however, adults of all ages and abilities are welcome.
Class Locations
- Maple
SilverSneakers® Classic
Have fun and move with music through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength, range of movement, and activity for daily living skills. This program uses hand-held weights, elastic tubing, resistance balls, and chairs for seated and standing support.
Class Locations
- Portage
SilverSneakers® Yoga
Yoga will move your whole body through a series of seated and standing yoga poses. Chair support is offered to safely perform a variety of postures designed to increase flexibility,balance and range of movement. Restorative breathing exercises and final relaxation will promote stress reduction and mental clarity.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Moving For Better Balance®
This 12-week program teaches participants balance skills and proper body alignment by using coordinated and flowing movements. The course is designed for older adults who can walk easily with or without assistive devices. We ll help you develop greater flexibility and more confidence.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Silver Body Blast
Increase your strength, add muscle definition, and challenge your cardiovascular system with this high repetition, weight/resistance training class. You'll use dumbbells, resistance bands, balls, and barbells. This class includes floor exercises.
Class Locations
- Maple
SilverSneakers® Splash
Splash offers fun, shallow water moves to improve agility, flexibility, and cardio endurance. A special kick board is used to develop strength, balance and coordination. No swimming ability is required.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Arthritis Aquatics
Designed to help with increased flexibility, mobility, range of motion, muscular strength and endurance, along with trunk stabilization and balance. An instructor will lead you through exercises which have been approved by physicians and physical therapists.
Class Locations
- Maple
- Portage
Arthritis Aquatics Deep Water
Designed to help with increased flexibility, mobility, range of motion, muscular strength and endurance, along with trunk stabilization and balance. Exercises have been approved by physicians and physical therapists. Participants must be comfortable in all depths of the pool; classes use both shallow and deep ends.
Class Locations
- Maple
