Carmichael community group begins balance training classes

12 people, including one lone ranger.  83 is the oldest and there are two young buckettes, both age 60.  The average age of this class is 73 years old.  This is one of the youngest groups I have had in awhile and they are active, full of life and excited about this 4-week balance training program.

As usual, I do three standardized Senior Fitness Tests as a pre- and post-class assessment.  As I was doing the pre-assessments, I was pleasantly surprised to see how everyone was able to do the tests exactly according to protocol.  NO modifications, no notes on the side!  And they did well. 

I took their scores and found where their score ranked in comparison to similar age and similar gender scores for the exact test.  This is the most reliable and valid test measure to see how you're aging in comparison to your true peers.  Men vs men and women vs women .  Age specific.  These results can be a great motivator or a real eye-opener. 

There were a couple women in today's class who were upset with one of their scores.  One lady walks everyday so she was not happy when she saw that she scored in the 15th percentile for the Chair Stand which measures lower body strength.  "But I walk...".... Yeah, but walking doesn't build muscle like strengthening exercises will.  It's great to walk but as we get older, WE MUST DO EXERCISES DESIGNED IN INCREASE OUR STRENGTH, especially our lower body.

Several people scored poorly on the Chair Sit and Reach test.  This test measures lower body flexibility which is extremely important during when we walk.  If you drag your toes or trip over your own toes, it could be due to poor flexibility.  If you swing your leg to the side when walking or when going up a stair, it could be because of poor lower body flexibility. 

The best news I have is that those assessments taken on the first day of class are a snapshot of your fitness level THAT DAY!.  You may not have worked out in 6 months, you make have been ill, whatever is going on, there is no pass or fail, this is just how you did on this day.  If you score poorly, there's no place to go but up. And your body will improve.  Our bodies were made to be in motion so lets' keep it that way.

I test again on the last day of class and I am proud to say that in the six years that I've been teaching FallProof™ in the Sacramento communities, I have had everyone improve in at least ONE of the fitness tests.  Stick with it!  It will get better!