For U.S. Air Force veteran Buddy Harris and former dancer Geri Diamond, the new normal inside the Edgewater at Boca Pointe retirement community in Boca Raton represents something quite different when it comes to staying fit both physically and mentally.
With Harris, Diamond and so many other older adults still primarily confined to their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to exercise through a virtual class three mornings each week has a common denominator of great satisfaction.
While Harris, 93, uses the televised sessions to enhance his self-described newfound strength and stamina, the 87-year-old Diamond considers each class a blessing as she perseveres through her challenges with scoliosis and osteoporosis.
Harris and Diamond are among a group of about 50 of their closest — yet nowadays distant friends — including centenarians Elizabeth Taylor and Dottie Seligman who participate in the virtual way of working their bodies through various routines and repetitions.
At 10 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, these exercise enthusiasts join together for 45 minutes of class time on the community’s in-house channel — all carefully orchestrated by Edgewater at Boca Pointe fitness director Michael Fries.
As is the case within every retirement community, lifestyles have changed over the past several months since the virus forced them to shelter in place.
“It has been horrible and, for me, it’s even worse because of everything going on with my health,” said Diamond, who describes her scoliosis and osteoporosis as disabilities that have affected her outlook on life even before the pandemic. “But this (virtual fitness) is absolutely wonderful.”
Despite finding it increasingly difficult to get around without a walker, Diamond has no problem pulling up a chair, turning on the television and focusing on the instruction as Fries takes her and others through their drills.
His audience includes three residents with Parkinson’s disease, and their positive response to the class along with the enjoyment it brings to those like Harris and Diamond serves as continual inspiration.
“I truly love all these people, and their smiles while I am conducting a class makes me want to do everything in my power to enrich their lives,” said Fries, who at the start of each session has participants working their dumbbells of weights between 1 and 5 pounds.
While either sitting or standing at their individual preference, the group performs about 30 routines. The number of repetitions, and the difficulty of the particular routine, depends on each resident’s capability.
“They don’t do anymore or any less than they can handle. They each have their own comfort level,” Fries said.
Harris, a former colonel in the Air Force, admitted that the hardships resulting from the pandemic have tested his willpower. However, it has not in any way lessened his spirit to succeed in the task at hand.
“(The confinement) has been awful, but this class certainly keeps you active and it’s something I very much look forward to,” said Harris, who along with his wife Phyllis have become quite seasoned in mastering the sessions. “In fact, we love it so much we sometimes do extra reps.”
Fries, a personal trainer for 25 years who has been at Edgewater for eight months, keeps things interesting by interjecting some personality and lighthearted humor into every class.
“I add some fun stuff and tell a few stories during breaks so they don’t get bored,” he said. “There’s a lot of sensitivity and caring to how I run this.”
Intent on creating an uplifting experience, Fries has tried to get to know each and every one of his class participants on a personal level.
“It’s not easy when you’re working with 50 or so people, but I want to relate to them as individuals and not as faces on the other side of a TV screen,” Fries said. “For example. I have gotten to know Geri (Diamond) and she is one of the sweetest, nicest ladies. She has some (physical) issues but she told me she has never felt better since taking my classes. That makes it all worthwhile.”
Among several other televised activities overseen by Alissa Zemering, the life engagement coordinator at Edgewater at Boca Pointe, is one centered around ballet. Since that class doesn’t involve actual dancing but ballet motions, Diamond was quick to add it to her exercise itinerary.
“The way Alissa moves her arms and legs in sequence, it’s just so perfect,” said Diamond, who knows a thing or two about dancing. “I danced for many, many years before my disabilities took it from me but now I can once again enjoy each movement.”
Although COVID-19 forced the shutdown of fitness centers and gyms across the country, communities such as Edgewater at Boca Pointe are encountering success in this new virtual landscape.
“I gave out every set of dumbbells I had to my class participants, and I had requests for more so I would say it’s going great,” Fries said.
Most older residents favor the flexibility of the virtual classes in terms of how much or little they can do, and also the fact that they don’t have to go any farther than their living rooms or bedrooms to participate.
“That’s the beauty of the virtual programs. There is a challenge component but it’s also stress-free and relaxing knowing they can do it from the comfort of their own homes,” Zemering said.
Diamond loves that aspect of the virtual classes, although she and many of the other participants will try to resume getting around to the various regular community activities once restrictions are lifted.
“Right now, this is a great option to stay active and sane,” Harris said.