Maple Grove Senior Exercises to Stay Fit, Save Money

Six days a week, you’ll find Terry Earl of Maple Grove getting in some form of physical activity at the Plymouth Life Time.

“I do water aerobics probably three times a week, I do this class two times a week, and I have a personal trainer that I go see,” Earl said.

The class she does two times a week is a 50-minute, semi-private personal training session alongside several other seniors.

It’s something the 66-year-old has been doing for the last year.

“You know, I’m not trying to get in a bikini or anything. That ship sailed a long time ago,” Earl said. “I’m working toward being healthy.”

The person who’s helping Earl achieve that goal is Carrie Boe, a personal trainer for Life Time’s ARORA program, which was designed specifically for baby boomers.

Terry Earl, 66, of Maple Grove goes to the Plymouth Life Time about six days a week.

“We’ve got some folks that have to sit on a block because they’ve got arthritis, or maybe Parkinson’s,” Boe said. “Then we’ve got folks that are really fit and can do hard cardio and really lift barbells. So we want to cater to all of that.”

The goal of ARORA programming is to help seniors — regardless of their physical ability — stay active and fit.

Experts recommend some form of strength training about two to three times a week.

“You need to be in shape to age, because it’s not easy,” Earl said.

Aging is often associated with a slew of health problems, from arthritis to osteoporosis to falls.

Saving money on health care costs

According to Fidelity Investments, the average retired couple at age 65 may need approximately $315,000 saved up to cover health care expenses.

Yet one way to potentially reduce that cost is through regular exercise.

“If we can get you stronger so you’re not wiping out in the parking lot, breaking a hip, that’s a big concern of all of [the seniors],” Boe said.

It’s a concern that Earl hopes she doesn’t have to worry about going forward, as long as she stays consistent.

“The more you can be in shape, the more you can rebound from those incidents that are gonna happen to you,” Earl said.

Maple Grove | Plymouth | Twin Cities