The people in the Fit and Fall Proof class come for all sorts of reasons. It's free and that's a reason everyone mentions. But the price is just extra incentive.

Priscilla comes because she's 83 and needed a cane to walk. She loved to travel, but she had stopped. Getting anywhere with a cane took too long. When she heard about Fit and Fall Proof, she thought she would check it out.

Fit and Fall Proof was designed by two physical activity specialists in Boise about eight years ago to strengthen seniors and reduce their number of crippling falls. Seniors in Idaho were dying from accidental falls at a higher rate than in most other states.

Fit and Fall Proof leads seniors through low to moderate intensity exercises designed to reduce the risk of falls and improve mobility, balance and strength. After Priscilla participated in a Coeur d'Alene class for a year, she began traveling again. She said the class gave her strength and the ability to sustain her energy.

Winter motivated Donna Jones to try Fit and Fall Proof.

"I've never been one to exercise, but in the winter, a person gets so weak," says Jones, who lives in Priest River. "There's no activity, no gym in town."

On a whim, Jones tried a Fit and Fall Proof class at a friend's house. She discovered that exercising with friends was fun. She liked the social opportunity. When medical problems sidelined her friend, Jones certified as a Fit and Fall Proof instructor and took over the class.

Her participants ranged from a woman with multiple sclerosis to a 92-year-old who wanted to certify as an instructor. About 10 of them worked for 45 minutes three days each week on balance, strength and flexibility.

They all started their Fit and Fall Proof participation with a short test. Each was timed rising from a chair, walking to a cone about 25 feet away, turning and returning to a sitting position in the chair. The test set a baseline score from which they could chart progress over time in the class.

One woman started in Jones's class months ago using a cane for support.

"Now she keeps up with us. Eighty percent of it is her determination," Jones said. "We have such a good time together laughing and teasing. I can't speak highly enough about this program."

In a typical Fit and Fall Proof class, participants gently stretch their calves and reach their arms to the sky. They push their feet against elastic bands and balance on one foot. They sit and stand and sit and stand and keep water bottles within close reach. They talk about everything.

Participants have lost weight and lowered their blood pressure. One woman saw her bone density improve 15 percent during her time in the class. Another woman used the program's breathing exercises to help with stress relief during her recovery from surgery.

Fit and Fall Proof classes attracted about 1,200 participants in the Panhandle Health District last year. Many of those attended several classes. Sixty-four people trained as instructors. Just about all of them reduced their risk for falling while they became more fit and made new friends.

A schedule of Fit and Fall Proof classes is available under Classes Scheduled on the PHD website, www.phd1.idaho.gov. Classes are open to new participants at any time. Don't deprive yourself. Call 415-5242 for more information.

Cynthia Taggart is the public information officer for the Panhandle Health District. She can be reached at [email protected].