This year, there’s a new kid in town at the Lancaster Senior Games called Pound. Never heard of it? You’re not alone. But once you try it, you may be hooked. While the Lancaster Senior Games are known for competition, they also regularly offer participants the chance to try a variety of noncompetitive exercise classes — all with the goal of encouraging activity and movement.
In that spirit, Senior Pound was scheduled to make its debut on Spooky Nook Court 11 at this week’s games.
Senior Pound classes require neon green drumsticks called Ripstix — made of durable plastic and weighing about a quarter pound each — a chair, a cheery instructor and great stick-tapping music.
Most repeat students bring their own Ripstix. Participants do various cardio and stretching movements with the Ripstix, like side-to-side “chomps,” up-and-down sweeps, twists and pounding — drumming — during the chorus. The rhythmic clicks of the ripstix is hypnotic.
Pound is relatively new to the gym circuit, as it started in 2011, says Doug Smith, a licensed Pound instructor who teaches Senior Pound classes at Bright Side Opportunities Center and Hempfield Rec. The latter also offers “regular” Pound classes, are much more intense version with dimmer lights and louder music. Pound has an energetic tribal feel, as the ripstix clatter adds emphasis and inspiration.
“We go about 50 miles per hour, while the regular Pound classes go about 80 miles per hour,” Smith says. “We never get on the floor.”
Pound classes at Bright Side Opportunities Center [photos]
Still, he says, it’s a great workout for seniors.
Smith’s Senior Pound students range in age from 70 to 95 and they are “committed,” he says. He has about 30 students on his Bright Side roster, with around 20 showing up each Monday morning.
“This is like my favorite thing,” JoAnne Reichard, 77, of Lancaster Township, exclaims during a recent class. She is a founding member of the Bright Side Senior Pound class, which started two and a half years ago. “I love the music, I love the pound,” she says. “People can pick it up easily.”
“It’s a great workout no matter your level of readiness,” says Joy Linton, 70, of East Hempfield.
Smith got certified in teaching Pound three years ago at a gym in Hamburg, Pennsylvania.
“I was 64 and everyone else was 34,” he says with a chuckle. “I kept right up with my younger brethren!”
Pound has a kids and regular certification training, he says, but no senior training, so he has modified his classes to accommodate seniors.
“The modified choreography is more work for me, but it’s also more fun,” he says.
The Pound Fit website notes numerous studies that have proven the powerful brain-boosting, stress-relieving effects of drumming. The ripstix are a great distraction from counting reps or looking at the clock.
“You’ll drastically improve your rhythm, timing, coordination, speed, agility, endurance and musicality,” Pound Fit states.
By MARGARET GATES | Custom Content EditorSmith says he enjoys teaching Senior Pound as well as Zumba Gold and Silver Sneakers.
As Senior Pound student Judy Harding, 75, of Lancaster city succinctly says of Smith’s class, “He makes Mondays fun!”
For Senior Pound, Smith plays catchy pop songs from the ’50s and ’60s that get people — on a recent Monday, all attendees are women — tapping their toes and their ripstix.
“ ‘Rockin’ Robin’ is a class favorite,” Smith says. “Rock Around the Clock” and “Happy Together” are also met with nostalgic enthusiasm. Singing and humming along are encouraged.
Offering a Pound class at the Lancaster Senior Games is a great way to introduce this rhythmic activity to more people, Smith says.
“I want to expose Pound to everyone.”
