A free, multi-week strength training program will be available from Mayo Clinic Health System in five area locations, beginning in January.
The “Strong Bodies” class is designed for middle-aged and older women and men, according to a Mayo press release. Each class will include progressive weight training, flexibility and balance activities.
Basic classes will be offered in Augusta and Fall Creek. Both basic and advanced classes will be offered in Bloomer, Eau Claire and Menomonie.
The classes are free but registration is required. However, both Bloomer classes are currently fully subscribed. Registration for classes at the other four locations closes on Jan. 2 for Fall Creek, Jan. 5 for Augusta, Jan. 8 for Eau Claire and Jan. 12 for Menomonie.
Tina Tharp, a community and wellness engagement staff member at Mayo, noted that “bodies change a lot during the aging process. In order to maintain our quality of life, perform certain tasks, enjoy physical activities and maintain independence, it is more important than ever to continue or start a strength training program.
“Strength training is a proven way to fight the decline in muscle mass, bone density and metabolism that occurs with age,” she added.
Online registration for the class is available on the Classes & Events page (under the “Strong Bodies” heading) at mayoclinichealthsystem.org. For information and to register by phone, call 1-866-375-7464 (toll-free).
The schedule and locations for Basic classes are:
Augusta: Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 22–March 21. 2–3 p.m. Augusta Senior Center, 601 Main St.
Bloomer: Wednesdays and Fridays, Jan. 3–March 28 (no class March 14 or 16). 10–11 a.m. Bloomer Area Aquatic and Recreation Center, 1731 17th Ave.
Eau Claire: Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 17–April 4 (no class Jan. 29). Noon–1 p.m. L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire St.
Fall Creek: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 9–March 22. 8:15–9:15 a.m. Village Hall, 122 E. Lincoln Ave.
Menomonie: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 16–April 26 (no class March 13 or 15). 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 1–2 p.m. Shirley Doane Senior Center, 1412 Sixth St. E.
Advanced classes will be held in Bloomer on Wednesdays and Fridays from Jan. 3 to Mar. 28, except for Mar. 14 and 16. They will run from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Bloomer Area Aquatic and Recreation Center, 1731 17th Ave.
In Eau Claire, they will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays from Jan. 17 to Apr. 4 (with no class on Jan. 29), from 10:30 to11:30 a.m. at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library, 400 Eau Claire St.
Advanced classes in Menomonie are scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from Jan. 16 to Apr. 26, with no class on Mar. 13 or 15. They will be held at the Shirley Doane Senior Center, 1412 Sixth St. E., from 10 to 11 a.m.