Baltimore County BCDA opens Woodlawn fitness center; 15 senior-center gyms now available
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Summary
BCDA announced a new fitness center at the Woodlawn Senior Center, bringing the countywide total to 15. The centers offer cardiovascular and strength equipment, orientations, personal training options, classes, an annual scholarship program and an intergenerational 5K event.
A new fitness center at the Woodlawn Senior Center opened about a month ago, bringing the total number of BCDA senior-center fitness facilities in Baltimore County to 15, Wellness Specialist Carolyn Cook said.
Cook said the Woodlawn center is at 2120 Gwynn Oak Avenue in Gwynn Oak and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The centers are intended for BCDA members and provide equipment, instruction and events aimed at improving older adults' access to exercise.
Cook said the centers are "equipped with state of the art cardiovascular machines and strength training machines," including Matrix treadmills, elliptical machines, recumbent bikes and, at many sites, step machines; some centers also have rowing machines. "All of the centers have strength training equipment so that when you're in the fitness center, you can get a full body workout when you're there," she said.
Membership requires a nominal fee: $80 annually or $50 for six months, Cook said. She added that scholarship applications are available for people who find the fee prohibitive: "If someone is interested in being a member of the fitness center, but just really can't swing it, please drop into the senior center, ask for a fitness center scholarship application, and we will get you on your way." The transcript did not specify how many scholarships are available or the eligibility criteria.
BCDA offers a free fitness-center orientation for members led by a certified personal trainer, Cook said, and separate personal-training packages are available at additional cost. "During this fitness center orientation, a certified personal trainer will take you through each piece of equipment and show you how to use it," she said.
The senior centers also host group exercise classes. Cook described them as evidence-based classes and said individual centers may hire instructors to offer additional options such as Zumba, chair yoga or line dancing; some classes carry fees while others are free, she said.
Cook also described BCDA's annual "Get Ready, Get Set, Get Fit" event, now in its 19th year: an intergenerational event that includes a 5K run/walk and a 1-mile walk, with professional chip timing available for competitive runners. "Last year, we had a 2- and 3-year-old registered and 90-year-olds registered," she said, noting the event's wide age range.
For program details, schedules and fees, Cook directed listeners to check their local senior center or the centers' online resources; the transcript did not provide a direct website or phone number.
