Promoting health - from the heart

The bingo board lies dormant and pianos have been shoved toward the walls to make way for the daily exercise session inside the Southeast Seattle Senior Center. Twenty seniors form a circle, about 30 feet in diameter, and follow fitness instructor Mark Bryant through an hourlong program of stretching, light resistance and aerobics, and balance.

He urges, corrects and explains. He teases. They tease him right back. And they faithfully return because he keeps coming back, too. Bryant has been leading the "EnhanceFitness" program each weekday morning for almost four years. Two days of the week are devoted to seniors who need to sit while exercising.

The seniors are not shy about praising him. They say, "He makes it so fun ... We love him because he loves us old people ... He's the best thing that's happened to me in years ... " They even nominated him for EnhanceFitness' National Instructor of the Year honor, which he won this year.

Bryant's Holly Park class is a prime example of national efforts to keep seniors moving. Seattle-based nonprofit Senior Services runs the fitness program, and Susan Snyder, who managers it, says instructors like him are critical.

"The success of EnhanceFitness depends on instructors who are passionate about helping older adults remain physically active, staying connected to the community and maintaining a zest for life," says Snyder. "Mark exemplifies knowledge and enthusiasm for healthy living."

Bryant is a sturdy-looking 49. In fact, he is a former world (and three-time Washington state) champion powerlifter and a martial artist. And he connects with seniors. Perhaps it is because he has worked hard his whole life to accommodate, adjust to and stave off injury and limitations.

There is a wobble to his step as he shuffles through the workout's aerobic phase. He needs (but cannot afford without insurance) hip replacement. His vision is flawed so much that he cannot drive. So he takes the bus or walks to the center, downtown and wherever the next appointment takes him.

Bryant says he can handle not owning a car. He just has to spend more time planning his days and accepting the hassle. It's the hip that dogs him.

"They [the seniors] know I'm in a lot of pain sometimes," he says, "but they know I'll be here because my heart is in the right place."

EnhanceFitness is administered by Seattle-based nonprofit Senior Services and, in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Arthritis Senior Services, developed the program with the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center and Group Health Cooperative.

The group exercise program was first tested at four senior centers in the Seattle area. The response was so positive that EnhanceFitness is now used at various community-based settings like senior centers and retirement communities in 22 states. Each EnhanceFitness class is an hour long and incorporates a relaxed but systematic program that involves low-impact cardiovascular exercise, strength training and stretching.

The goal is to get seniors to do what they already know, deep-down, is essential for a better and longer life. Exercise helps them stay as limber and strong as possible. Working with a professional such as Bryant can help seniors work through limitations.

Many of the diseases and disabling conditions associated with aging can be prevented, postponed, or improved with regular physical activity. Even moderate activity can reap rewards by:

• Preventing or delaying high blood pressure in people with hypertension.

• Maintaining normal muscle strength, joint structure and joint function.

• Reducing the risk of falling and fracturing bones.

• Staving off symptoms of depression and anxiety and improving quality of life.

• Enhancing psychological well-being, promoting friendships and staying mentally acute.

"I do this because I love seeing people improve themselves," says Bryant, who is planning to release a workout video next month.

"And they help me, too."

Richard Seven: rseven@seattletimes.com

The information in this article, originally published December 31, 2007 was corrected January 1, 2008. A previous version of the story misidentified the Southeast Seattle Senior Center facility's neighborhood. The Southeast Seattle community built the center, which is located just south of Columbia City.