City of Daytona Beach Shores recently issued the following announcement.
SilverSneakers exercise classes at the Shores Community Center help keep retiree Steve Jones young.
“It gets me out of the house. It’s something to look forward to. You make friends,” said Jones, 75, a Daytona Beach Shores resident who exercises daily to keep from becoming a “couch potato.”
SilverSneakers is an exercise program designed for senior adults. It’s offered four times a week, free of charge, at the Shores Community Center – at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays with instructor Kandi Simons and through a video class at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 11 a.m. Saturdays.
“Kandi is excellent. She never has the same class twice, and she knows how to make it fun,” said Jones. “I like to have a little bit of challenge. Not 50 pushups or anything, but enough to make you feel young again!”
Lana Brannan, another regular in the SilverSneakers class, also likes the variety – and the cardio and strength-building aspects of the program.
“She pushes us to try new things I wouldn’t normally do – using the weights and the bands. It’s not as easy to do that on your own without someone showing you how,” said Brannan, 77, another retired Shores resident. “She makes sure we get our heart rate up.”
Every class starts with a warm-up and practicing perfect posture and balance, said Simons, the instructor. The class spreads out for social distancing, and every participant has a chair with a handle to aid in stability. Students use light weights, balls and fitness bands for weight-bearing exercises and core-strengthening. Then the class dances, followed by seated exercises, stretching and a cool-down. Exercises are easily modified for all levels and ages, and some students remain seated throughout.
“Everyone goes at their own level,” Simons said. “Everybody should be able to do this class.”
The results are inspiring, she said. Stretching the hip flexor helps people maintain a long walking stride, and strengthening helps participants remain independent.
“I love to see people moving,” Simons said. “You can see the difference in people who stay active. They’re my inspiration.”
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