Do you suffer from arthritis or know someone who does? At six different locations, the Tampa YMCA offers a federal grant-funded program, called Enhance®Fitness, proven to improve quality of life for those with arthritis.Thanks to the generosity of the U.S. Department of Health’s Administration for Community Living, Enhance®Fitness is a 16-week evidence-based program offered at no cost to the participant three times per week. The instructor conducts a Baseline Fitness Check at the start of the program and repeats it at the end of the 16 weeks. Best of all, participants have FUN!Beryl Pope has been attending classes since the start of the program last year. This is her third session. She suffers from arthritis pain in her knee and has lower back problems. After a back procedure, she attended physical therapy. Once that ran out, she came to the Plant City Y and continued with Enhance®Fitness. She saw improvement after the first session and enrolled in a second session. She was thrilled to see her second session results were even better than her first. Beryl says Enhance®Fitness has improved her walking, balance and strength. She shares, “I have lost 30 pounds and four inches in my waist!”Beryl says the best thing about the group is “…the fun we have and the way Janice (Diggens) leads the class.” The Plant City Y, in particular, takes time at the end of each class to share faith and give thanks. “We encourage each other. I believe the class is a great environment to be in,” says Beryl. “No matter your condition, you can get help with arthritis, strengthening your legs. Everybody has improved and everybody is inspired to come back and keep going.”In addition to helping reduce arthritis symptoms, Enhance®Fitness is designated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention and Control as a Fall Prevention Program. The next Enhance®Fitness program begins in May at the Bob Sierra North Tampa, Campo, East Pasco, Plant City, South Tampa and Spurlino Family Ys. Email EnhanceFitness@tampaymca.org for more information.Pictured above: Enhance®Fitness participants having fun at the Plant City Y.
