A LOXTON-based aerobics instructor who goes by the motto ‘move it or lose it’ has successfully helped keep local women active for almost 40 years.
Belinda Schammer, of Loxton, founded her business Loxton Creative Fitness 38 years ago after her move to the region and has since built up a strong following and kept women fit.
Ms Schammer said she choreographs all her classes – which range from women aged 20 to 50 and easy pace classes for over 60-year olds.
“All the moves in my aerobics lessons are choreographed by me to music and it’s freestyle,” she said.
“I try to mix it up as much as I can so that every class is different and the ladies never know what they’re in for.
“Not only does that keep my classes exciting, it also gives the ladies something new to learn and it tests their brain.”
Ms Schammer said her classes are as much of a mental exercise than a physical one.
“I always tell the ladies that they’ll know when they get Alzheimer’s because they’ll find out first here,” she said.
“On Monday mornings, my class is specifically for older women so the exercises help them mentally, physically and help their co-ordination.
“They absolutely love it.
“Half the women in my Monday class are widows and they don’t have big lives, so coming out to aerobics, keeping fit, socialising and then going for coffee later is their outing for the day.”
Ms Schammer said it is vital for people to stay active, especially the elderly.
“It’s important I keep going because the mental and physical exercise helps people live well and independently,” she said.
“My classes involve a lot of balance work, keeping a strong core and cardiovascular fitness.
“After we closed down due to COVID, when the older ladies came back their balance was not so good because they didn’t keep it up.
“Some women couldn’t even stand on one leg and others lost balance completely.
“It took about 10 weeks to get back to where they were and that goes to show how important exercise is and that consistency matters.
“You move it or lose it.”
Ms Schammer said some of the women have been with her since 2005.
“One of the eldest women in my class is 80 and she’s fantastic,” she said.
“Watching her enjoyment makes me happy and it’s an indication that the ladies love it.”
Ms Schammer said due to current restrictions, she now holds only a couple of classes a week.
“It’s hard with COVID because we are limited with people and it’s hard to find a venue that is big enough,” she said.
“I will keep going though and try my best to make it work.
“When I reached my 50s I was unsure whether or not aerobics would be a year-by-year thing, but I’m almost 60 and I don’t feel any older than what I did when I was 18.
“Aerobics has been just as great for me than the others.”