Exercise classes help keep seniors strong

After moving to Hill City in 2017, Rebecca Schindler realized there were no fitness classes in town. So she approached the senior center, asked if it would like to offer a fitness class and volunteered to teach one. 

“Physical fitness has always been an interest for me,” said Schindler. “I’ve been physically active my whole life. I’m just kind of wired that way.”

She was involved in sports as a child, had three brothers to keep up with and grew up in the country where she hiked, biked and walked. 

With an undergrad degree in business and a dance minor, Schindler got involved in the health and fitness business in 1984. 

“Back in the early ’80s when aerobics became popular, I started teaching for a local person and immediately wanted to go back to school so that I would have the education I needed to answer all the questions people have,” Schindler said. 

So she went back to school in 1987 and got a master’s in exercise physiology and exercise science at the age of 40. 

After getting her master’s, Schindler started her own health and fitness consulting business while still teaching fitness and acting as a personal trainer. 

“My focus was long-term weight management so I had to have as much nutrition in my background as exercise,” Schindler said. 

In later years, Schindler worked at a large health club as the operations manager and ran the aerobics fitness program while personal training on the side. When the club could no longer keep her on, Schindler went back to Western Washington University where she got her master’s. There she worked as the office manager for the physical education health and recreation department. 

A few years before retiring, Schindler began taking all the courses she could on working with the senior population. She planned to teach in retirement and wanted to have a solid background. 

Today Schindler is using her professional background in health and fitness to teach three different classes for senior citizens at the Hill City Center. Participant ages range anywhere from 45 to 85, and Schindler adjusts her plans based on who is in the class on a given day. 

“My class is not like the typical senior citizen class,” said Schindler. “I push them harder than that because I think a lot of the senior level classes are too low level.” 

However, Schindler is not a “no gain without pain” instructor. Rather, she believes in moderation and designed her own low to non impact class style. 

“That’s the thing about exercise,” Schindler said. “It’s not how hard you work out. It’s how regular you are.”

Schindler believes that no one is ever too old to become more fit since the human body never loses its ability to build muscle mass. Weight management can also help prevent diabetes and a myriad of other things. 

“My job here in front of the room is to look at my group and educate them in how to move effectively so that they can keep themselves strong,” said Schindler. 

The three classes Schindler teaches are Functional Fitness, Beginning Line Dancing and Stretch and Flex. 

Functional Fitness is a general class that addresses cardiovascular, strength and conditioning as well as stretching. The class is designed to keep seniors functional so they can continue their daily activities of living. 

Workouts include the use of light hand weights, resistant bands as well as mats when going to the floor. Most of the work is done standing, and chairs are available when needed. Schindler never does the same workout twice in a row.

One of Schindler’s primary focuses is balance. Schindler said balance is a major consideration for this age group. If they fall, they risk breaking something or not being able to get up. 

To prevent this, Schindler does balance work in a single-leg support position because this is when the hips work the hardest and get strong. The muscles that develop as a result either keep people from falling or protect their bones. 

Functional Fitness is a 50-minute class and takes place every Monday and Wednesday morning. The class is meeting at 8:30 a.m. for the summer and will meet at 9 a.m. in the fall. 

Schindler’s Beginning Line Dancing class which she began this past winter will return in September.

“Line dancing is something seniors can do forever,” said Schindler. It is not as taxing and supports cognitive function as well as balance. 

Schindler keeps her class at a beginning level so new people can easily catch up. 

This class will take place every Tuesday at 9 a.m. 

Schindler’s final class, Stretch and Flex, will also return in September. It will take place every Thursday at 9 a.m.

This class is a “combination of strength, focusing on balance and core conditioning” and keeps you strong in a variety of ways. 

During this class Schindler does balance work in a standing position, core strengthening effective for the age group and lengthy stretches. She also teaches the easiest ways to get up and down off the floor. According to Schindler, this class provides a nice stretch at the end of the week. 

Schindler teaches all of these classes free of charge as a way to give back to the community. However, a senior center membership is required and currently costs $20 per year. 

Those interested are also welcome to observe a class and take one for free. A consent form will need to be signed before participating. 

Now that the center is renovated there is a big space for the classes as well as air conditioning, a fan and places for people to change. 

Hydrating before class, bringing a water bottle and dressing in layers to avoid overheating is recommended. Depending on the class, participants will also need hand weights and mats which can be stored at the Hill City Center along with the proper footwear. 

Schindler can accommodate participants with disabilities or health struggles as well. Many of the participants have had surgery of some kind, including Schindler. As a senior herself, she understands the physical struggles and relates to the needs of the class. 

“This group is very welcoming, and everybody is fabulous. If you want to get involved in a group that is going to help you stay physically active, this is the place to come,” said Schindler.

Any questions about the classes can be directed to Schindler at her home phone at 605-368-6543.