Fall prevention classes have resumed

Because September is Fall Prevention Month, it’s a good time to remind residents that a fall prevention class is being offered at Hope House. The class started up again in April after being brought to a halt two years ago with the advent of covid-19.

The class, which is taught by Sharon Selby and Vicki Skeers, started in 2017.

“I have quite a few folks that come,” Selby said. “It’s targeted towards people 65 and above. The class’s format focuses on achieving strength, flexibility and balance.”

The workout starts with a warmup before moving into cardio, where they do an aerobic workout for about 20 minutes. They then begin doing exercises, working on balance and weight, using wrist and ankle weights, and finishing the routine with stretches.

Any fitness level is welcome, and participants can work out from a chair, standing, or both.

“It’s pretty flexible,” Selby said. “It’s for anybody who wants to work out at that level. You can work out at your own pace. If you are not comfortable doing an exercise, you can sit down and move your arms and feet while you wait to move to the next exercise.”

Selby is a certified SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) trainer. SAIL is an evidence based program for Washington state.

“What’s really cool about it is when we get our new members we do a three part fitness check with them that takes about five minutes, and we write down a score, and three to four months later, we do the same exercises with them and get a new score, which allows us to be part of the evidence based programs,” Selby said.

Selby was a student of Jazzercise for years, and also worked in the footwear, apparel and sporting goods industry.

“Exercise, fitness,” Selby said, “it was all a part of everything we looked at every day at work. I always had it around me.”

The class is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the old sanctuary at the Hope Center, located on the corner of South 3rd Street and Maple Street. The class is from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Tuesday and 12:45 - 1:45 p.m. on Thursday.

The class is free, and while it’s targeted towards 65 and older, younger people are welcome to attend.