BATON ROUGE, LA (BR-PROUD.COM) – Health and wellness is important at every age, but it’s especially beneficial for older adults.
As we age health becomes more and more important.
But for some aging adults or beginners, the idea of strength training can be intimidating, and the YMCA is working to change that.
“Light and low is designed for the 50+. It’s low impact movement. It’s kind of evolved into a class for beginners,” said Laura O’Brien.
Operations Director Laura O’Brien said the class is truly for the beginner.
“Anybody that’s an age that’s de-conditioned that just needs to start, and get moving.”
Light and low teaches the fundamentals of fitness and builds on those skills.
“It’s a great place to start. It’s a little slower than your typical cardio class. You do some light movements, very beginner weight training, just learning the moves and the flow with other people. All the things that you would learn as a progression to the next level.”
The class focuses on functional fitness like balance and changing direction.
“A lot of one legged exercises, exercises that shift your weight. You might do some things with the weights to help you shift your weight and contract muscles that you would need in case you were falling or trying to get up.”
It’s also a great way to make friends and have fun.
“It’s the total package. Fitness, cardio, social hour, they’re all leaving laughing. It’s a great place to start, it’s a good place to make friends. They all encourage each other to do better and to just come in the room and join the fun.”
To learn more about the YMCA’s Light & Low group exercise class visit ymcabr.org.