By Emery Styron

“Keep moving, keep smiling, keep your brain healthy. The rest will follow,” says Shannon Price, leader of the Monday-Wednesday-Friday Boomers and Beyond fitness classes at Iowa City’s North Dodge Athletic Center (NDAC).

Shannon keeps the music pumping during her sessions, as does Rosanne Hopson, who leads Silver Sneakers Muscular Strength on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

New participants are gratified with the quick changes in their bodies, say both trainers. “Lots of people have not exercised. They get stronger really fast,” says Shannon. “People are surprised,” adds Rosanne, recalling an “elderly lady” who forgets to take her cane home after class because she has become fit enough she no longer needs it.

The 10:50 a.m. sessions, covered by insurance under Silver Sneakers, Renew Active, Silver & Fit and other programs, help get older adults in the door, says NDAC owner Teesa Vitense. Once there, they find a wide array of exercise options in the fitness hub at 2400 North Dodge St. (see below).

‘She doesn’t treat us like old people’

Movement is almost non-stop in Shannon’s class, reflecting the former road musician’s exuberant personality. She favors 60s-70s music that “keeps everyone going.” 

Deb Schoelerman of Iowa City joined Boomers & Beyond a year ago, switching from yoga classes. “That was too slow for me,” she says. “Music is a mood shifter. Sometimes I just come for the music.”

She had also used treadmills and weight machines, but she prefers the lively pace of Shannon’s class. “She doesn’t treat us like old people.”

Deb is happy with the results of her workouts. “It keeps the energy level way high. I did a lot of planting in the yard, 5-gallon boxwoods. “I was able to carry them. I can go paddleboarding easily.” She treasures a compliment from a neighbor at her vacation home on Lake Okoboji, who said “My goal is to get as good at paddleboarding as you are.”

Classmates Sharon Johnson and Nancy Fischer, also of Iowa City, echo Deb’s sentiments. “I live pain-free because I keep moving,” says Sharon. “Part of it is Shannon’s personality,” says Nancy, a class member since 2001. “Music moves me … When I walk into Hy-Vee, I don’t feel old.”

Shannon works her magic with resistance bands, balls and light weights. She leads class members through movements to strengthen their core, increase range of motion and improve mobility and balance. “We never do the same thing twice. We rewire the brain, make them think and work harder.”

She says it’s hard to overemphasize the importance of strength training. “Women who lift weights are so much happier.”

'Great workout’ includes cardio, targets all muscle groups 

“If more people would come to Silver Sneakers, they would know what a great workout is,” says Rosanne, a former nurse. She calls it “a great overall class” that uses weights, resistance, balance work and stretching to give a cardio workout and target all muscle groups. 

“Extremely important, we take two minutes at the end to mindfully go head to toe, another two minutes to clear our minds. We leave peaceful and energized.”

“In winter in Iowa, it’s getting out of the house. It breaks up your day. You see people. It becomes a social thing.” says Rosanne. She reinforces the social aspect by inviting class members to parties at her home.

Like many staff members, Shannon and Rosanne have been at NDAC for years and know all their class members by name, says Teesa. “The consistency is pretty special. If someone is gone, they’ll call and ask how they are doing. Lots of cards are sent out.”

Participants are “pretty welcoming too,” says Teesa. “People realize that at one point they were the new person. They do a good job of welcoming people in.”

Sessions help stroke recovery

Another fan is retired attorney Tom McMurray, Iowa City. He resumed attending Shannon’s classes in January after suffering a stroke on a kayak outing more than two years ago.

Especially helpful in his stroke recovery are quick movements to the beat of the music, using light weights, squeeze balls and resistance bands, he says. “Shannon’s class is really good. It’s a fun and lively group.” 

Having a class to attend helps in other ways, by setting a schedule for exercise and providing “informal accountability,” he adds.

NDAC offers many options for older adults

“I pretty much grew up here,” says Teesa, whose parents were members at North Dodge during her youth. She and husband Kurt, a financial advisor, both worked at the club as personal trainers in college. They jumped on the unexpected opportunity to buy the business from Steve and Sonya Moss nine years ago.

A life-long athlete who played soccer for the University of Iowa, Teesa manages day-to-day operations. NDAC’s seasoned staff, including fitness class instructors, personal trainers, tennis pro, and swim instructors, deliver instruction, assistance, and a wide array of programs to clients of all ages at the well-equipped, 55,000-square-foot facility.

The many fitness instructors are “what make the classes so special,” says Teesa. “Some of them have been here longer than I have.”

Senior tennis is offered three times a week. Lap swimming, swim lessons and water aerobics are available in the 25-yard-long pool, flanked by a steam room and saunas. Other activities include pickleball, racquetball and basketball; yoga, spin, and group exercise classes; and a fitness/weight/cardio area. Members can use the fitness center on their own or work with personal trainers on a group or individual basis.

“Some people like the old-school vibe of the free weights and machines we have,” says Teesa. “We cater to any age or ability. We try to make sure it’s a good fit for people.”

A range of membership plans for individuals, couples and families are available with discounts for age 65-plus.

Team Iowa Physical Therapy leases adjacent space, giving patients easy access to all NDAC offerings.

New members get free orientation. “If they have questions, we don’t want them to be afraid to ask. We are here to help,” says Teesa.