More to the Story with Staley: New Senior Program

HIXSON, Tenn. (WDEF) — In this day and age, people are living longer. But the key is to stay healthy and active as well. If you’re a senior citizen, there’s a new program just starting in Hixson that you might be interested in.

“They have sat for a long time. One of our main things is movement becomes improvement.” The words of Joe Dickerson. A senior fitness trainer at this exercise facility in Hixson.

Joe and his training partner Amanda Evans are just starting up a new program. In fact, this is the first class. It’s called “65 and Still Alive.”

“I enjoy working with seniors. A lot of times they don’t get the chance to move around, nor the confidence to move. I really love being able to help,” fitness coach Evans said. “I want them to feel safe and confident while exercising.”

For 30 minutes, Joe and Amanda will put folks like Sharon, Diane, Cherry, Coleen, Jo and John through a series of moves. Improving ones balance is one of the main themes.

The students say if anybody can get the blood pumping, it’s Amanda and Joe!

“I started working out by myself and then I met Joe,” Jo Peckinpaugh said. “He showed me how to get results. I improved so much that I realized how important this is.”

“Joe is very energetic and knowledgeable,” Coleen Pruitt said. “He knows how to push you hard. But not too hard.”

As we speak, roughly 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day. Every day. Dickerson says society as a whole has a tendency to ignore exercise.

For Joe, this class is not only about fun, but getting results.

“We’re going to get the heartbeat up there. And then bring it back down safely,” Dickerson said. “And we’ll have heart monitors that we’ll put on every individual so we can control that.”

Once again, the group will meet three times a week at 8 a.m. sharp. Head to the Workout Anytime website for more info.