Winnebago County Public Health offers Wellness Plus classes

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— Every January, the 24-hour gyms and fitness centers see a rush of people trying to keep New Year’s resolutions to get fit, lose weight, or just be more active. The Winnebago County Public Health Department offers the Wellness Plus Healthy Aging Classes. They are a solution for safe, healthy activities for the aging population.

Ashley Beattie-Lokken is the Wellness Plus Program Coordinator for Winnebago County Public Health. She said the Wellness Plus Healthy Aging Classes are researched and tested to improve bone density and balance, and strength for participants 55 years old and up.

“Our programs, all the ones that we offer are evidence-based, which means they’ve been researched. They’ve been tested. And they have been proven to improve the lives of people who are aging. So there is science behind the classes, like strong bodies, for example, is a strength training class, and it’s been proven to increase bone density and muscle mass,” Beattie-Lokken said. “ It’s all designed for the people that are aging and really been shown to improve stability and balance and things like that.”

Beattie-Lokken said the classes are specifically designed to help those 55 and older, but are open to all ages. There are eight different locations throughout the county for “Strong Bodies” Wellness Plus classes scheduled between now and April.

“ We offer classes all throughout Winnebago County. We’ve got classes in Omro and Winneconne to make sure that we’re hitting those rural folks. Neenah, Manasha and Oshkosh all have a variety of different ones. And we’re in a partnership with the Neenah YMCA that hosts a class for us! But you don’t have to be a Y member to take that class!” she said.

No fee is required for the classes. The Winnebago County Public Health Department requests an optional $15 donation to cover materials for the 10- to 12-week class series.

 ”Those donations go back to our health department for getting new weights, getting leaders trained, keeping up on CPR and certifications, and things like that,” Beattie-Lokken said. “So really what you’re donating goes right back into the program.”

No special equipment is needed to participate in the Wellness Plus classes. Beattie-Lokken said to wear clothes you can move in, closed-toe shoes, and a water bottle to stay hydrated.

Beattie-Lokken emphasized that none of the exercises or stretches in the Wellness Plus classes require participants to get on the floor. All are done standing or sitting.

To find a class near you or to sign up, visit the Winnebago County Public Health website homepage.