WESTFIELD-“Don’t let your age hold you back” is the advice that Bruce Kenyon extends to men interested in getting in shape.
Greg Hannum, on left, leads a weight training exercise during the Male Call! class.
Kenyon, at 82, is among the more than 10 men who meet Mondays and Wednesdays at the Westfield Senior Center from 9 to 10 a.m. for a fun, motivating exercise program titled “Male Call!”
The program was started in January by Greg Hannum, a recent graduate of Westfield State University. Hannum majored in movement science with a concentration in exercise science.
“Since I started we doubled the number of clients and days per week,” said Hannum, noting that the program originally started only on Mondays and has since expanded to include a Wednesday class.
Mats, hand weights and workout bands are available to borrow during the session.
Dave McMandus executes the mountain climbing exercise.
“One day a week simply wasn’t enough,” he said. “All of the guys in the class felt as if they could use more and benefit from another hour of movement a week, so we made it happen.”
Hannum’s approach to exercise is simple – overall strength training, core stability, metabolic conditioning and balance work – with rock and electric dance music in the background.
Coach Greg Hannum provides instruction on arm strengthening exercises to John Bruce.
“I think all men should take a class like this for healthy aging, keeping their muscles strong and joints functioning well,” said Hannum. “A big goal of mine is to get these guys stronger therefore they can move pain free and decrease the risk or worry of falling as they get older.”
A believer in Hannum’s regimen is Mark Lisowski who exercises on both days.
Assistant coach for the Male Call! class, Elvin Montoya, explains an exercise to Chuck Caldes.
“I recently retired and had sat behind a desk for 50 years,” said Lisowski. “I needed discipline to exercise and Greg’s program of stretching to start has now led to weight lifting.”
Chuck Caldes echoed those sentiments.
“Greg is very knowledgeable and uses a variety of different exercises week to week,” said Caldes, adding the stretching has helped his flexibility and perhaps even his golf game.
Ed Pemberton concurred.
Greg Hannum fist bumps Ed Pemberton for a job well done during Monday morning’s Male Call! class.
“I would really recommend this exercise class,” said Pemberton. “As we age we find muscles we don’t know we have.”
Hannum said that men have been taught that as they age they should be doing less exercise.
“I use the metaphor like a car that’s been outside for a while, it’s not moving so therefore the engine and its function breaks down on the inside as well as the appearance from the outside,” said Hannum. “Essentially all their muscles have been ‘off’ for some time so I’m trying to turn them back on and basically rewire their motor patterns. The human body is incredibly adaptable.”
Male Call! coach Greg Hannum demonstrates the mountain climbing exercise to participants.
Without a doubt, that was the case during Monday morning’s class as the 10 men started stretches and continued exercising for 60 minutes – except for two quick water breaks. Hannum is the perfect motivator – giving fist bumps and words of encouragement – as the session quickly zipped along.
“I would recommend this exercise class,” said Kenyon, adding, “it is a great way to make new friends.”
Bruce Kenyon performs arm pulls using work-out bands.
Currently, Hannum is also being assisted by assistant coach Elvin Montoya, who conveys his own style of motivation by joking around with the participants.
Mark Lisowski uses bands for arm strengthening.
Ultimately, Hannum wants the men to feel stronger and have less worry about falling.
“I want the class to be something they can look forward to and have fun,” said Hannum. “Exercise is medicine!”
Greg Hannum, on left, coaches Chuck Caldes and John Biegalski on the partner twist exercise.
