That’s the message Ryan Chelsea-Clinton (RCC) is sending with its new evening fitness classes. And while July hosts Recreational Therapy Week every year, it doesn’t matter what time of year you start moving. But this is a great place to start!
“Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health,” says Jessica Sessions, MD, Medical Director at Ryan Chelsea-Clinton. “There are immediate benefits, like better sleep, reduced anxiety, and lower blood pressure. Over time, regular physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, and even some cancers.”
RCC’s classes are on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. The classes are held in the lobby of Ryan Chelsea-Clinton. They are free to both patients and non-patients, and are for all ages (adults only) and genders. You don’t need to sign up in advance, but you will need to sign a basic consent form.
The classes are led by instructors from Shape Up NYC. On Monday the class is Cardio Fitness, on Wednesday it is Bodyweight Circuit Training, and on Friday it is Dance Fitness.
“The instructors have a great relationship with our patients,” says Carla Roussos, MPA, Community Relations/AmeriCorps Program Coordinator at Ryan Chelsea-Clinton. “They are volunteering their time and are really excited about the classes. Every week more people join in!”
According to the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), “The purpose of the (recreational therapy) process is to improve or maintain physical, cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual functioning in order to facilitate full participation in life.”
“Moving as a group is motivational for participants,” Dr. Sessions says. “The instructors are dynamic. When you feel invested in the instructor and your group mates, it’s fun and addictive.”
As with any exercise program, check with your provider if you have a chronic condition before you start. Working with the instructors is important because they can teach you the proper form of the movements and make adjustments for certain conditions. For instance, someone with a knee replacement or back issues might need to adjust the movement. Always take into consideration your age, fitness, and skill level.
Older people shouldn’t shy away from class. As you age you want to protect bones, joints, and muscles.
“It’s important to think about exercise when you’re older because you want to be able to do the actives of daily living,” Dr. Sessions says. “Things that are easy when you’re young became more difficult, like balance, which increases the risk of falls and injury from falls. Working with weights can help prevent muscle wasting and bone loss.”
“Also, we are learning how much exercise can help with dementia and cognitive impairment over time,” Dr. Sessions says. “It keeps your brain sharp.”
The message of RCC’s classes is that you just need to move!
Here’s a link to the calendar for Ryan Health events, including the fitness classes at Ryan Chelsea-Clinton: https://ryanhealth.org/events