Trainers from Professional Therapy Associates taught an aerobics class at Kalispell Senior Center last month. It was a surprise for many of the seniors, since they had been running their own program for the better part of two decades.

The trainers provided professional support to the group, which senior leader Creta Lund said is dedicated to staying healthy.

“I feel like our group of women are in better health than ordinary because of the exercise,” she said. “They just keep it up consistently.”

The group that does aerobics every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in the senior center’s ballroom varies from 25 to 35 seniors, but they get a complete workout.

Jim Pearson, who just finished his term as the Senior Center’s board president, said during the last year the center averaged 263 seniors a month.

Lund said they warm up with light stretching; do some aerobics, resistance band work and free weights; and then cool down. After the 45-minute workout, many seniors stay for coffee and mingling. It’s become a matter of habit for the center members.

“If they need exercise, if they need to get out, if they want socialization, they can come,” Lund said. “The lightness of the group has kept us going.”

The trainers, based out of nearby Flathead Health and Fitness, spent a day with the seniors in June, and Lund said they were pleased by how spry the exercisers were.

“I think they were surprised to see us so active,” she said. “We didn’t realize they were coming, but we said, ‘If you want to do your aerobic program instead of ours, that’s OK with us.’”

Most seniors show up at 9:30 a.m. to socialize, exercise from 10 to 10:45 a.m. and stay for coffee and even lunch. It’s a way for most to get out of the house and have a fun, active morning.

Lund, along with two other leaders and a “trainee” leader, normally take charge of the class.

Interested seniors can show up at the class Monday, Wednesday or Friday at 9:45 a.m. at the Kalispell Senior Center, 403 2nd Ave. W. Classes are capped at 35 people.

Reporter Ryan Murray may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at rmurray@dailyinterlake.com.