Seniors look to swimming for a stress-free workout

By Mary Beth Almond
C & G Staff Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo by Deb Jacques Shelley Donoughe of Oakland Township and Ruth Conrad of Rochester show off some moves in the OPC Cardio Waves class. Photo by Deb Jacques Shelley Donoughe of Oakland Township and Ruth Conrad of Rochester show off some moves in the OPC Cardio Waves class.

Local experts say swimming is an ideal way for seniors to get in shape and strengthen their bodies.

Swimming uses your core muscles, your arms, legs and glutes, and gives you an overall workout. But because swimming is a low-impact activity, one of the major benefits is that seniors can protect their joints while getting a great cardiovascular workout for the entire body.

Matthew Spierling, head of health and wellness at Older Persons’ Commission in Rochester, says the human body has approximately the same density as water — which easily supports the body — so there is far less stress placed on joints and bones.

“It’s great way for overweight people to exercise because you don’t have as much weight on those joints. It also reduces pain and increases flexibility,” he said.

Ken DalPra, aquatic supervisor at the Warren Community Center, agreed that water reduces pressure on joints and creates stability.

“Water is terrific for seniors because your muscles are still getting the same workout, but you’re not putting that pressure on your joints, so when you come out, you don’t feel beat up, but you know that your muscles got a good workout,” he added.

Exercise alone reduces blood pressure, stressand personal injury, but those who take a water exercise class also benefit from having the water support and massage the body while they work out. This makes water exercise classes a great option for those looking to stay in shape before and after surgeries.

“A benefit of water exercise is you have a resistance situation with the water, so there is a natural resistance to arm and leg movements. It’s also very stable, so if you’ve had knee or hip replacement, or you are just not in great shape and you need to start somewhere, and you’re frustrated and afraid to get on a high-tech machine, water is a great option. You go at your own pace, and our instructors are always looking out for your health and safety,” DalPra said.

Seniors also benefit from socializing in swim class.

“Seniors get in these classes, and they are able to chat with their friends and become part of a little team or a family, which they may not have at home,” Spierling said.

“Our arthritis class — which is for people that are recovering from hip or knee replacements, have arthritis or have any medical condition where they need to go at a slower pace — is a very social class, so it’s good for widows and widowers, or couples,” DalPra added.

The OPC, 650 Letica Drive in Rochester, offers four to five swim classes a day for seniors in its two pools — a 90-degree, 25-foot-by-25-foot therapy pool and a 77-degree, four-lane, 25-meter-long lap pool. Classes, such as Healthy Joints, Deep Class, Making Waves, Cardio Waves, and Core Power, are very popular at the OPC, according to Spierling. The center also offers tai chi classes in the pool and a senior swim team.

“We have a ton of classes seniors can take, anywhere from the beginner level up to an advanced level,” he said. “And our therapy pool is 90 degrees, so just getting into it allows people with severe pain or arthritis to be able to move easier.”

Seniors ages 50 and up who are OPC members can sign up to take a swim class. The OPC offers free membership to seniors in Rochester, Rochester Hills and Oakland Township. Nonresidents must pay a $175 membership fee per person, or $225 per couple. There is a $3 charge for open swim and a $6 charge for swim classes.

The Warren Community Center, 5460 Arden Ave., also offers a host of swim classes for seniors, which are run purely on a drop-in basis in its 84-degree, 25-yard lap pool. Seniors have a few different options, such as an hour-long regular water exercise class at 9 a.m. Monday-Saturday and 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday, an hour-long arthritis class at 10 a.m. Monday-Friday, and a 45-minute, high-output swim class at 11 a.m. that rotates monthly.

“We have fantastic participation. We typically have 75 people in a class,” DalPra said.

Adults of any age can sign up for the morning swim classes at the Warren Community Center; the afternoon and night classes are open to seniors, as well as families and children. The daily drop-in fee is $5 for residents, $10 for nonresidents, or $2 for resident seniors. Seniors from all municipalities can get in free on Fridays for the next month and a half, thanks to a program offered by HAP.

For more information about the OPC, visit www.opcseniorcenter.org or call the OPC pool coordinator at (248) 608-0295. For more information about the Warren Community Center, or its annual pass fees, call (586) 268-8400.
 

You can reach C & G Staff Writer Mary Beth Almond at malmond@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1060.