By Megan Brown
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Whether you’re a school-aged child or an older adult, staying physically fit is an important part of remaining healthy. That goes double if you have arthritis. Joints that aren’t kept in motion can become more stiff and difficult to move.

“If you don’t use it, you lose it,” says Jessica Jonckheere, the wellness coordinator at Sedgebrook. Each Friday, she adds low-impact exercises and stretches to the Forever Fit class to ensure that residents of all ability levels are able to get the most out of their fitness regimen.

Moving joints is ‘essential’
“On Friday we really concentrate on range of motion, stretching, a little more of the aerobic,” Jonckheere says. “Really moving that full joint is essential. If you don’t bend your elbow all the way, eventually you won’t be able to bend your elbow all the way at all.”

Arthritis Foundation spokeswoman Sharon Tatom agrees: “Losing range of motion leads to disability. It’s a really serious issue. Research has shown that exercise is one of the most important things.”

At a recent class, Jonckheere led Sedgebrook residents through various weight lifting, stretching, and team-building exercises. Participants used lightweight hand weights, weighted balls, and resistance bands to keep their joints in motion.

“I think the exercise is right for us,” says Sedgebrook community member Bea Zuckerman. “I like the sociability.” During the class, Jonckheere and the  participants joked and listened to a stereo playing Sinatra classics and the fox trot.

On-site classes motivate residents
The Arthritis Foundation recommends that people with arthritis stay active. Jonckheere, who is certified through the foundation to teach the arthritis exercise program, is planning a separate, arthritisspecific fitness class at Sedgebrook’s fitness center to allow residents at different fitness and ability levels gain the most from their workouts.