In March 2020, when the local community center shut down, my exercise group started exercising on Zoom instead.
I spent two days on the phone teaching my older friends how to install and use Zoom on their tablets and computers. We only missed one class, so everyone stayed connected and strong!
One class participant said, “It’s great to see everyone in person for our social events now, but we still love having our exercise class on Zoom,” said one participant. “There are just too many benefits. Why go back to the way things used to be?”
My older friends who exercise with me still consider themselves to be a community. I check in with them every so often to change their minds and go back to in-person classes if they want. The oldest in the class is 97 years and even he prefers class on Zoom! He said it helps him keep going strong so he can still travel. In fact, he just took a cruise in March of this year!
I try to listen to what they need and do my best for them. I try to make class fun, add in a lot of steps choreographed to really good music, implement cognitive exercises, and even do fitness tests quarterly so they can monitor their own progress. Participants often make suggestions for songs that they want, and I add them to the week’s playlist.
During a recent luncheon, they had a big discussion about the benefits of exercising on Zoom. Some of their reasons were:
- They love that they don’t have to dress up or hurry out of the house in the morning.
- They don’t have to worry about inclement weather or poor driving conditions.
- They like feeling “green” because they’re not using gasoline.
- They can Zoom in when they’re on vacation (some connect from hotel rooms!).
- The snowbirds can even stay connected from Florida in the winter.
- Nobody is “contagious” over Zoom.
As of June 2023, about 25% of businesses have never asked employees to return to their offices in person (since 2020) because they continue to realize the benefits of remote work.
Apparently, there are plenty of benefits for our older friends to continue on Zoom, too!
One woman added, “A lot of us have had surgeries over the years – cataracts, broken bones, and such… and the Zoom class is so helpful during recovery. When I had my foot surgery, I couldn’t drive or walk, but I could still Zoom in and see my friends. I could still do all the upper body exercises from my chair and feel part of the group!”
I love that our Zoom class is an excuse-buster. Nobody has to feel like they have to be showered or dressed up to attend. I love these folks and I love that I’m growing old with them, too. This year, I’m officially a senior, too, and they keep me motivated and inspired to be like them.
I wish more people over 50 would join in! This class is so much fun!
Let me know if YOU would like to try a free class! Call me (Kathryn Eyring) at (440) 644-2201.
