Breaking a Sweat: ASPIRE Wellness Boot Camp Keeps Zelienople Residents Active

On Tuesday and Thursday mornings inside the ASPIRE Wellness Center at Passavant Community, the sounds of a medicine ball hitting the ground and the rhythmic snap of a battle rope echo in the gym room. The scene is just a small part of exercise specialist Chad Ifft’s Boot Camp class, which is designed to keep older adults active, engaged, and strong by using athletic equipment often associated with keeping athletes in top shape.

“We started with just chairs, resistance bands, and hand weights,” Ifft explained. “As interest grew, we knew we needed to expand and introduce new challenges.”

What started as a simple circuit of chair exercises eight years ago has evolved into a full-fledged fitness experience, attracting both Passavant Community residents and members of the greater Zelienople area. Among them are community member Bob Spirk, and Passavant residents Nancy Smith, and John Stoyle who are three dedicated participants who have embraced the program’s challenges and benefits.

Ifft has steadily enhanced the class by incorporating a variety of equipment, including a heavy bag, speed bags, medicine balls, and battle ropes. His latest additions, hurdles and a speed ladder, have further diversified the workout, making it both engaging and effective. The class now features 12 carefully designed stations focusing on agility, strength, coordination, and balance.

Participants rotate through each station, spending two minutes at a time in a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) routine —20 seconds of exercise followed by a 10-second rest period. After completing six stations, they take a short break to socialize and hydrate before completing the final six stations, wrapping up with a five-minute stretching session.

“I’ve seen incredible improvements in our participants,” Ifft said. “Some people walk by and watch through the windows, amazed at what our members can do. It’s rewarding to provide a class that not only challenges them physically, but builds their confidence.”

The Boot Camp class is just one of many offerings available through ASPIRE Wellness, an innovative program designed to support the holistic well-being of Passavant residents and community members alike. ASPIRE Wellness memberships are included for all Passavant Community residents, with added perks like complimentary daily beverages at the Bistro.

Community members can join with an annual membership for $150, unlocking savings and access to wellness activities, or they can participate in individual classes on a pay-as-you-go basis.

For more information about ASPIRE Wellness or to join a class, visit https://www.lutheranseniorlife.org/aspirewellness or contact Brian Damaska, ASPIRE Wellness Manager.

Email – aspirewellness@lutheranseniorlife.org

Call –  (724) 452-3456