The YMCA Silver Sneakers program held at the East Ridge Community Center gives seniors a place to stay active and keep their bodies healthy.
“They are so precious to me,” said instructor Pat Snowden, who lives in Catoosa County. “They love it. They don’t miss. They’re consistent.”
The Silver Sneakers class at the East Ridge Community Center meets three times a week and is free for East Ridge residents, YMCA members and through many health care insurance plans.Snowden said after the Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., YMCA closed in April the East Ridge site was chosen for the Silver Sneakers program as a halfway point between Fort Oglethorpe and the Eastgate YMCA.
Snowden leads seniors through 45 to 50 minutes of up-and-down and side-to-side exercises with a chair, resistance band and bouncy ball.
“It works every muscle and bone in their body from head to toe,” she said, explaining that with regular attendance, her pupils maintain above-average flexibility, strength and balance.
“It helps your circulation, your heart, whatever,” said East Ridge resident Joyce Delaney, a member of the Henry Family YMCA at Eastgate who attends Senior Sneakers classes three times a week.
East Ridge resident Rell Metcalf is not a YMCA member, but he said his HealthSpring Medicare Advantage coordinated care insurance plan pays for the classes.
“It makes you feel as young as she is,” Metcalf said, speaking of Snowden.