Lifting Weights and Lifting Spirits
By Martha Slater

"Seasoned citizens" pump iron at the Randolph Senior Center on Weston Street Tuesday morning. The Center is starting a fund drive to purchase heavier weights, as the "students" are progressing so rapidly. From left are Bill and Mary Markle, Idora Tucker, Ronni Solbert, and Genie Robbins. (Herald / Tim Calabro)

On a recent Tuesday morning, the Randolph Senior Center on Hale Street was full of a lot of joking, grunting and groaning, but no slacking whatsoever, as the Strong Living class met to lift weights.

Folks in their 60s, 70s, and 80s (and at least one who will soon turn 90) spend at least two mornings a week there working out under the cheerful direction of instructor Kathy Corrao.

"Lift the toe, lead with the heel, out to the side and down slowly," Corrao intones, as her students, weights strapped to their ankles, follow her instructions. "Keep that right knee soft!"

In between repetitions, everyone plunks down in their chair, many of them muttering and grinning at the same time, and the ripping sound of Velcro can be heard around the circle as they switch their weights to the opposite leg.

"This is good exercise for your brain, too, because you have to remember which foot to use!" quips Corrao, who has taught the class for three and a half years.

About 16 people come regularly to the Tuesday and Thursday class, although the Wednesday and Friday group is somewhat smaller. Many of them have been coming to the class for several years.

A good-humored bunch, they say the class is like a community. They enjoy the social interaction and also watch out for each other. Many of them live alone, and "if someone doesn’t show up, we find out why," Corrao says.

"We have a lot of fun," says 85-year-old Becky Nichols, "and I find I can do more at home and I even breathe better now. It just makes you feel good."

D’Ann Fago, who says she’s "almost 90," notes that, "I used to fall a lot, but now I don’t do that so much any more. This exercise is really good for your balance."

The class has done so well, that they want to upgrade their equipment and challenge themselves by getting some heavier weights. To help them do this, the center will host a "Raising Weights" dinner Friday, Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m., featuring stuffed roast pork, mashed potatoes, vegetables and homemade pies. The money raised will go toward the purchase of a weight rack, plus new, heavier weights in the 12-15 pound range. Tickets will be available at the door.

Although the folks in the class are not doing the cooking for this event, they all plan to be there to enjoy the food, and hope a lot of other people will be, too.

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