Residents in their golden years who attend the Senior Citizens Center at the civic center in Leeds are far from inactive.  In fact, most of the 60-plus group can do the electric slide better than many of their younger counterparts.  They also exercise twice a week and work on core building.

Every Monday and Wednesday at around 10:45 a.m., a crowd is waiting for an exercise program they call “Smart Moves,” a program created by Jackie Tally through the Jefferson County Office of Senior Citizen Services. Those in attendance know that health and well being at their age is essential.

Helen Wood has been teaching the class for the past five years. She also teaches the “Smart Moves” class in both Homewood and Hoover. Wood has been teaching aerobics since 1985 and moved on to teaching senior citizens classes over 10 years ago. “I really enjoy doing it,” she said. “These classes are not about losing weight and looking better. They are more about function such as being able to live alone, being able to get out of the chair, having enough arm strength to carry a bag of groceries.”

“These classes are important for a lot of reasons,” she said. “We work on balance, upper body strength and functional exercises.” She added functional exercises like standing up and sitting down are very important for senior citizens. One exercise they do regularly is a chair squat. Wood believes the chair squat is crucial because those who have trouble getting up and down are usually not able to live independently.

“It is also really important from a social aspect,” she said, adding the seniors have a chance to get together and share with one another.

The Leeds senior citizens exercise for approximately 30 minutes and dance for the remaining 15 before breaking for lunch. Most days they dance to the tune of “Elvira” and then line up for the electric slide as they listen to “Shortening Bread” or their favorite artist Allen Jackson.  Those who attend admit they really enjoy doing it. They can sit out for a break or only take part in the exercises and dances that are right for them.

Exercise is just one of the many things offered for residents over 60 in Leeds. Alinda Yarbrough, the director of the Senior Citizens Center, said they also take a number of field trips throughout the year, play games and socialize at the center and also attend classes that keep them up-to-date on issues that affect their age group.  Lunch is available every day at $1 donation a plate and public transportation is also available.  “We are always looking for more friends,” Yarbrough said. For more information about the Leeds Senior Citizens Center contact 205-699-5513.