A diminutive, silver-haired woman stood at the front of the parish hall wearing red-rimmed glasses and a T-shirt with the words “Personal Trainer” printed on the back. She stood facing 20 or so seniors, each positioned next to a chair with exercise equipment — weights, a strap and a rainbow-colored ball.
The woman, Jenny Grover, called out instructions for different moves, each tailored to help the attendees prevent falls, strengthen their arthritic hands and feet, and to stay in shape overall. “Sit straight, heels up, move your hands like windshield wipers. I’m watching, George,” she called.
Each Wednesday morning, Grover, 85, leads an exercise class as part of the Blessed Sacrament Seniors Health Ministry in Alexandria. The Puerto Rican mother of two, grandmother of six and great-grandmother of 14 first worked for the government before working at Shrine of the Sacred Heart in Washington and Queen of Apostles Church in Alexandria. “Then I decided to stop, and start exercising and helping people,” she said.
After years of volunteering at a gym, last year she became a certified health coach and nutritionist with special training in senior fitness. She began leading the Blessed Sacrament exercise class earlier this year. Grover also encourages seniors to eat well and provides resources for healthy eating, noting that exercise only does so much when it’s not paired with good meals.
She’s hoping to help other parishes start their own health ministries, believing it’s key to helping seniors thrive. When older people start to feel weak and frail, they stop going out with friends, said Grover. That isolation can lead to loneliness and mental decline. “You go downhill,” she said. “I like doing (classes) at any place where I can help any mature person, because I’d like (for) them to live an independent life surrounded by family and friends and everything they love.”
Donna Reuss, a parishioner of St. Joseph Church in Alexandria, was invited to the class by a friend. “It’s encouraging to see so many people out here, trying things even if they can’t quite do it. It’s a good workout for me as well,” she said. “I see it as honoring your body. Your body is a temple, and having (exercise class) in a church adds something spiritually motivating to it.”
Another participant, Barbara Verdi, decided to focus more on exercising after undergoing open heart surgery. Though she also joined a gym, she has a better track record of showing up to Blessed Sacrament. “Just the atmosphere in general is very nice,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoy this class. It’s been a big benefit for me, physically and emotionally.”
