Panhandle Health District

                                                             8500 N. Atlas Road         Hayden, Idaho  83835

www.phd1.idaho.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                Date:     August 9, 2010                          

Contact:                                                                                  Released by: Jeanne Bock, Director                     

Cynthia Taggart

Public Information Officer

(208) 415-5108

(208) 818-7288 (cell)

Free Senior Fitness Classes Start in September

              Fit and Fall Proof™ free fitness classes for seniors, sponsored by the Panhandle Health District (PHD), will start Sept. 22 at Garden Plaza of Post Falls.

              Fit and Fall Proof™ was designed to strengthen hearts and improve balance to reduce the number of crippling falls among Idaho’s oldest residents. The hour-long classes will run twice a week and are appropriate for all fitness levels. Participants gently stretch calves and reach their arms to the sky. They improve mobility, flexibility, balance and strength through movement, body resistance and resistance bands.

              Leaders for the Garden Plaza class will be trained staff of Life Care Center. They are trained by PHD and volunteer their time to teach seniors. Class participants will need a statement of medical clearance signed by a health professional to participate.

              The class has helped participants lose weight, lower their blood pressure, improve bone density and more. It also provides a social opportunity twice weekly.

              The popular PHD-managed program is offered throughout the five northern counties. The Garden Plaza class will run in the activity room Wednesdays and Fridays at 1 p.m. for 10 weeks. Garden Plaza is part of the Life Care Center campus at 545 N. Garden Plaza in Post Falls.

              For information, call Cyndi or Gail at 773-3701.