StrongWomen Health Training Program

TORRINGTON — A new series of StrongWomen Strength Training classes, sponsored by Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, is now forming. StrongWomen is a specialized nationally recognized program developed specifically for women by Miriam Nelson, PhD, an associate professor at the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University.

The classes are designed for midlife-aged women and older who have been active to relatively sedentary for the past few years and are interested in improving their health and vitality. The program includes research-based, low-key exercises using simple equipment and personal, motivational support in a nurturing group environment.

Classes are taught by certified instructor Veronica Kleeman and meet two times a week on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10:3011:45 a.m. for a total of 14 total times in seven consecutive weeks. Each Class includes a 5 minute warm up, 8 to 12 strength training exercises to promote proper body awareness, positioning, flexibility and posture, and 5 minute cool down.

The program aims to help women strengthen muscles, increase bone density, regain bone and muscle and lose fat, and reduce the risk for arthritis, osteoporosis and related fractures. Strength training also offers mental and emotional benefits including a reduced risk of depression, improved self-confidence, better sleep and vitality and improved balance.

Classes are held at the Litchfield Fire Department, 258 West Street, Litchfield. The fee for entire class of 14 sessions over 7 weeks in total is $85. Participants can join a class series at any time for a pro-rated price.

For information and to register for upcoming classes, please contact Veronica Kleeman at 860-5674384.

“I am so pleased to offer this program in collaboration with Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and look forward to assisting women in our community maintain a strong and healthy lifestyle. Participants in our classes not only feel better about themselves but develop a camaraderie that is really enjoyable.” said Certified Instructor Veronica Kleeman.

Research conducted by Dr. Miriam Nelson and her colleagues at the Tufts University Nutrition Research Center on Aging has shown that women from age 35 on can start to lose one-quarter to one-third pound of muscle each year – and gain that much or more in fat. At first the change isn’t very noticeable, but over time the loss of 2 percent of strength per year results in muscle weakness and difficulty in moving. When this happens, women slow their activities, become weaker, gain more weight and begin a devastating cycle of dieting and weight gain rebound, which leads to more muscle mass loss and a sedentary and dependent lifestyle.