The Clay County Health Departments Senior Aerobics Program celebrated its 15th anniversary Thursday.

The Program began in April of 1997 as Moving With the Big Bands, and has been going strong ever since.

These classes are held every Tuesday and Thursday at the Clay County Health Department from 12:15 to 1 p.m., There is no charge, they are open to all members of the public age 55 and older.

According to the American College of Sports Medicine, by 2030, there will be over 70 million people in the U.S. over the age of 65 and those 85 years old and older will be the fastest growing segment of the population.

Whatever a persons age though, exercise can raise their level of health and fitness.

Exercise provides numerous health benefits to older adults, including increased energy, reduced joint stiffness, improved flexibility, strength and balance.

Regular exercise also has been shown to improve blood pressure, diabetes, lipid profile, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and neurocognitive function.

Despite these facts, up to 75-percent of older adults are insufficiently active to achieve these health benefits.

See the article here:
Health Department Senior Aerobics celebrates 15 years