One of the most dedicated groups of volunteers in Northeast Minnesota, and actually, throughout the country, are the volunteers who lead RSVP’s Bone Builders classes. Bone Builders is a nationally praised exercise program started by Tufts University in 1995, and is designed to help individuals prevent osteoporosis and improve bone mass and strength, as well as improving balance. The classes include gentle weight training and balance exercises. Over 250 individuals participated in these classes in Northeast Minnesota last year, and the majority of the 600-plus RSVP programs nationwide offer Bone Builders classes! The wonderful part of Bone Builders is that this is entirely a volunteer led class, and is offered free to class members.
Recently, I contacted Ginny Cooley, the director of fitness for W. E. Connect, and asked if she would be interested in leading a Bone Builders class for the West End. Her response was an enthusiastic “You Bet!” Ginny asked Nancy Koloski to partner with her as volunteer leaders for the class. They will be holding an information meeting on Wednesday, August 23, at 10:30 a.m. at Birch Grove Community Center, with the class starting the week of September 4th. The West End classes will meet once a week to start. The day and time of the class has not yet been set: it will be discussed at the information meeting so participants can take part in that decision.
We hope our Cook County West End participants will realize the same positive outcomes from their class that others have. Two Harbors has had classes led by Nancy Christensen and Karen Tschida for the past three years. Individuals who come to the classes have reported increasing strength, less concern with falling, and truly enjoy the combination of weight training, movement, music and companionship offered by the classes. Nancy Christensen shared the following: “I would say that people who have had surgery in the past often say they become stronger with the Bone Builders program. Participants who have had hip, knee, rotator cuff, or even breast surgery see improvement.” The other comment she often receives is “…that people say they could never do this program at home without other participants; they like exercising with an instructor.” Even those who are lucky enough to have avoided surgery in the past benefit from this class; research from the National Osteoporosis Foundation shows that one of every two women, and one of every four men age 50 and older will have an osteoporosis related fracture in their lifetime. As the executive director of the foundation, Judith Cranford states, “It is important for all individuals regardless of age-to take steps to protect their bones. What good are strong minds and hearts if our bones are fragile and crumbling?”
As RSVP coordinator for Lake and Cook counties, I continue to be inspired by the many ways in which our volunteers seek to help others lead a healthy life with connections to caring people in our communities. I have been fortunate to take part in the Bone Builders classes, and know personally, that these classes can help build strength and balance, no matter what age we are or what health challenges we face. Come join these wonderful volunteers and learn more on August 23.
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