At Cooper Pool on a Tuesday or Thursday morning, you will see about 24 ladies participating in the senior aqua aerobics program, which is now in its fifth week.

Sue Asher, who teaches the 90-minute aqua aerobics classes, has helped senior citizens keep fit during the summer months for years. Ms. Asher is CPR and first aid certified and during the year is a special needs elementary school teacher.

According to Ms. Asher, she began the senior walking program in Manville and said she wanted to do something to get involved with the seniors in the summer months.

This is my 24th year of doing aqua aerobics with my ladies, she said. We have six new ladies with us, and some of them have been with me for the whole time. We have all ages from 53 to 90 and that is pretty awesome that people can choose to come to water exercise and keep fit. It is a social time, too, for most of them.

Ms. Asher laughed when she said she keeps doing the program for the seniors.

Aqua aerobics is a great way to loosen up the joints and the bones, she said. The water helps with the tension, and the exercises give the ladies the opportunity to socialize a bit as they exercise and work every part of their body.

The ladies start by getting used to the water, bobbing up and down and rocking forward and backward. Then come exercises on the wall with their legs, arms and floating barbells. More exercises include kicking with the knees straight and toes pointed, bicycling, arm circles and shoulder rolls.

We get to all parts of the body, and it is basically to keep them toned, Ms. Asher said. It helps them with their joint and arthritics problems. Exercise is the best program for them. For most, it gives them the energy to make it through the day and builds up their strength a bit.

After the hard work of exercising, the ladies relax with water and apple and orange juices, courtesy of a grant from Walmart.

I enjoy working with them, Ms. Asher said. I teach children 10 months out of the year so it is a great treat to work with the senior citizens. They have always been my favorite group of people.

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