Get active, get fit at the library

Let’s face it…it’s hard to exercise during the winter months in Central New York. It’s cold and icy outside, and it gets dark early.

This year, the Canastota Public Library wants to help make it a little easier for you to exercise.

Beginning in Jan., grab a walking partner, a good pair of shoes, comfortable clothes and a bottle of water and come to the library for Walk This Way. The Lawson Community Room will be transformed into our walking area.

We’ll be walking on the following Wednesdays: Jan. 16, 23, 30; Feb. 6, 13, 20 and 27; March 6, 13, 20, 27 and April 3, 10, 17 and 24. You can choose which group fits your needs as we’ll be walking from 4 to 4:45 p.m. and from 5 to 5:45 p.m. Each session will begin with a warm-up and end with a cool-down.

Walk this Way will utilize some of our favorite walking DVDs from the library’s collection. Space is limited, so sign up at the Circulation Desk or call the library at 315.697.7030.

If you are over 65 and would prefer to do some chair-based fitness, our library has been chosen as a site for a study to be conducted this winter. Volunteers are needed to participate in a three-month video-led fitness study conducted by the Geri-Fit Company. To qualify for the study, participants must be over the age of 65 and not be doing any kind of strength training exercises (walking, tai chi or yoga are okay). Most of the exercises will be performed seated in a chair, and you will not have to get on the floor.

Participants should complete as many of the 24 classes that will be conducted during the three-month (12-week) period beginning the week of Jan. 14 through mid-April.

You will need to bring your own water to drink during the workout. You will be exercising to a Geri-Fit DVD and several different levels of Geri-Fit video workouts will be shown throughout the duration of the study. Hand weights and rubber exercise bands will be available for all participants. Everyone is encouraged to work out at their own pace.

Classes will be held twice-a-week for 45 minutes on the second floor of the library. Upon completion of the 12 week study, each participant will fill out a survey to help evaluate the effectiveness of the video-led classes and to determine if their strength, stamina, balance and range of motion has improved.

Geri-Fit video fitness classes will start Monday, Jan. 14, and will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Mondays and Fridays. Space is limited, so sign up at the Circulation Desk, call 315.697.7030 or visit gerifit.com for more information about this program for older adults.

A third exercise program, Bone Builders, meets Tuesday mornings at 10 a.m. in the Lawson Community Room. Bone Builders is a program of RSVP of Madison County. Bone builders is a research-based exercise program developed by Tufts University.

This is an exercise and education program designed to prevent and help alleviate osteoporosis and improve general fitness. Each session consists of balance, strengthening and stretching exercises. Some utilize hand or leg weights. Exercise groups are led by RSVP volunteers and supported by a trained RSVP staff member. A typical group ranges from 8 to 18 participants age 50 and beyond. Men and women are welcome. Bone Builders sessions include valuable health information such as nutrition and exercise.

Exercise sessions are free of charge. Equipment to begin the program is provided. If you are interested in joining, come one Tuesday and speak to coordinator, Christine Crandall.

The library is always interested in your ideas on programs you would like to see us offer. If you have a program you would like to present or are interested in learning more about a specific topic, let us know. The library is located at 102 W. Center St., Canastota.

By martha

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