By Ruth Ann Replogle
“Oil of Olay can only do so much.”
That sign is being posted around the Denny Price Family YMCA to advertise the Y’s Personal Fitness Program.
The Personal Fitness Program is a 12-week session designed to help Y members get into a routine of physical fitness.
“It’s for people who haven’t exercised in a long time or have never exercised at all or are really out of shape,” said fitness and public relations director Kim Boeckman.
Certified trainers Becky Noell and Kendra Heitfeld will teach individuals how to get accustomed with exercising on a regular basis.
“It’s more motivating and getting them feeling comfortable with exercise,” Boeckman said.
As individuals meet with either Noell and Heitfeld once a week, they will learn how appropriately use the cardio and weight machines and develop a customized fitness workout.
“They set goals for themselves while they’re in the program,” Boeckman said.
“A lot of it is motivating them to add exercise to their lives,” Noell said. She said her main objective is to encourage her clients to make fitness a permanent part of their lifestyle.
“For me, it’s exciting. I believe everyone needs exercise. I raised three boys and I know what it did for me and what it can do for someone else,” Noell said.
“I just think it’s good for them,” Heitfeld said. “When I first came (to the YMCA) I was scared of that (exercise machine) room.”
Noell agreed that it is a bit intimidating to walk into the exercise machine room.
Virginia Morley, a member of the YMCA, said she was afraid she would hurt herself in the exercise machine room.
She wanted to correctly learn how to operate the cardio and weight machines so she called her friend Delma Reinhart to join her in the Y’s Personal Fitness Program.
“We wanted to do this program and the best way to do it was with a buddy,” Reinhart said. They participated in the Y’s Personal Fitness Program, starting in September 2004.
After completing the course, both women noticed beneficial changes in their lives.
For Reinhart, “My bone density changed after I did the weights.” For Morley, “I do have some arthritis and the exercise helped. I don’t suffer as much.”
“We also dropped a few pounds,” Morley added.
Both women, who are in their 60s, have continued their fitness regimen since taking the Y’s Personal Fitness Program. They work out three days a week in exercise machine room as well as partake in the water aerobics class.
“It builds up your stamina,” Reinhart said.
“I have more energy,” Morley said.
Reinhart and Morley are two of the 150 people who have been through the Y’s Personal Fitness Program. Boeckman said according to her records, 70 percent of those clients have continued with some type of fitness program at the Y.
“Most people don’t stick to it,” she said. Boeckman said she is pleased several people in the Enid area have made fitness a permanent part of their lives.
“It’s taking that first step,” Noell said. She said after taking the Y’s Personal Fitness Program, there are all kinds of exercise programs available to accommodate anyone’s lifestyle.
The Y’s Personal Fitness Program will start a new session at the end of February. To sign up, call 237-4645 or stop by the front desk of Denny Price Family YMCA. Cost for the 12-week session is $15. However, to be in the program, participants must already be members of the Denny Price Family YMCA.
