Community Classes Encourage Seniors to Stay Active in Birmingham
Birmingham, AL—A remarkable fitness program is helping seniors across the Birmingham metropolitan area stay active and engaged. The class, Get Fit While You Sit: 1 Step 2 Fitness, is designed specifically for women aged 60 and older, and it boasts a steady growth since its inception in 2019. Led by Sam “DJ Maestro” Anderson, these classes have now expanded to various locations, including the Titusville Senior Center, Daniel Payne Community Plaza, and the Bessemer Recreation Center.
Lessons in Movement and Motivation
Veronica O’Neal, a 63-year-old retired forklift operator, has been attending these classes for over a year. Reflecting on her sedentary days before joining, she shared, “I remember sitting at home ‘doing nothing’ and not being mobile until I received an invitation to a class. Once I arrived, the elderly people inspired me to continue to come because I feel like if they could do it, I could do it too.” O’Neal now attends classes three times a week—Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—and has seen significant improvements in her movement, especially after undergoing a total shoulder replacement. “Now I can move very well,” she said.
Creating Community Through Fitness
Renee Looney, 67, joined the “Get Fit While You Sit” program two years ago after hearing about it from a church member. “I knew that I needed to get into a regimen where there were other people for health reasons,” she explained. Since joining, Looney has experienced a major improvement in her health, stating, “Each time that I go to the doctor, I tell them that I continuously participate in a fitness class.” As someone who was always active during her 18 years at Southern Company, she found herself limited after retiring to care for her sick mother. “Now that I am in a program, it helps me to keep moving,” she added.
More Than Just Exercise
Lois Germany, who assists Anderson, emphasized that the program is about more than just physical fitness. “We create an experience,” she said. The environment fosters camaraderie, as participants pray for one another and offer support during personal challenges, such as health issues or recovering from surgery. “We collect money and raffle expensive gifts at the end of class at no charge,” Germany mentioned, highlighting the community spirit among the class members.
A Growing Movement
Anderson, who relocated to Birmingham from Detroit about four years ago, initiated the fitness classes to help himself manage his own health challenges. “I needed to do some exercises; I have a sciatic/hip problem. That’s why we came up with this (One Step to Fitness), so we can sit down and still get a full body workout,” he explained. The early classes had modest attendance, but their popularity quickly grew. “It wasn’t that big at first, and then it just started picking up more and more,” Anderson noted, expressing his delight at the program’s evolution.
Currently, each class regularly attracts 40-plus members, many of whom are widows seeking an active lifestyle. Germany also mentioned that they maintain a Facebook page for each class, allowing participants to connect and share their experiences with family members.
Future Endeavors
In an innovative twist, Anderson and Germany are set to launch a new television show titled Get Fit While You Sit, aimed at bringing the class experience into living rooms. The show is scheduled to air on Saturday mornings at 11 a.m. on MYTV 68 WABM, providing a broader audience with the opportunity to engage in fitness from home.
Class Schedule
- Monday: Class at specified location
- Tuesday: Class at specified location
- Wednesday: Class at specified location
- Thursday: Class at specified location
- Friday: Class at specified location
The growing enthusiasm within the community showcases the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle, especially among seniors. With inspiring leaders like Anderson and dedicated participants like O’Neal and Looney, the “Get Fit While You Sit: 1 Step 2 Fitness” program continues to provide valuable health benefits and social connections for its members.
