Members of an Enhance Fitness class at the Parkview YMCA work on flexibility and balance. Group exercise programs such as this one provide seniors with community and healthy routines. Photo provided by the Parkview YMCA.

By Maksym Hart
InkFreeNews

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — From gyms and group classes to walking trails and foot races, Kosciusko County residents over 50 have more ways than ever to stay fit, and more reasons to do so.

Aging brings challenges such as arthritis, age-related muscle loss called sarcopenia, decreased energy and even social isolation.

But local fitness leaders say regular physical activity can counter those effects, boosting both physical and mental health while fostering community.

“Especially as we get older, strength training is very important,” said Mark McQuade, director of healthy living at the Parkview Warsaw YMCA. “We lose muscle mass over time, and that impacts balance and the risk of falls. The most important step is simply to start, we’ll meet you where you are.”

The YMCA offers senior-focused programs such as Enhance Fitness for arthritis management, SilverSneakers Classic and Yoga, and water aerobics classes like Joyful Joints. Members also use warm-water pools, a walking track and specialized cardio equipment.

Steve Meulink practices arm curls at Positive Fitness, a Warsaw gym with diverse clientele needs. Private fitness programs help people such as Meulink, 61, to stay in good health even with hip replacements and bursitis. Photo by Maksym Hart.

Instructors and staff are available to guide new participants through orientation sessions.

Semi-private gyms such as Positive Fitness in Warsaw tailor workouts to individual needs, from hip-replacement rehab to personalized training. Owner Lou Siri designs sessions that build balance, range of motion and daily-life strength.

Long-time member Chris Leiter said the structured environment keeps her motivated. “I’ve gained strength I didn’t realize I’d lost after retiring,” she said.

For seniors looking for less formal settings, the Kosciusko Senior Center in Warsaw offers chair exercise four days a week, pickleball and walking in a shared gym, balance workshops and nutrition demonstrations. Membership costs $10 a year.

Outdoor recreation remains a popular choice. The Kosciusko County Velo Club promotes cycling and maintains Winona Lake Trails, hosting events such as the Fat & Skinny Tire Fest.

Area bike shops, like Trailhouse Village Bicycles, report that e-bikes have opened cycling to more seniors by allowing longer rides with less strain.

Senior Warsaw runners Garett Carolus, left, and wife Suzie have both completed the Badwater 135, a 135-mile ultramarathon climbing 14,000 feet from the scorching depths of Death Valley to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the U.S. The Carolus’ credit their endurance to their training in and around Kosciusko County. Photo from Badwater 135.

Walking and running opportunities abound. This year alone, the county has hosted 13 foot races, with six more coming in the fall. Information is available at runningintheusa.com.

Local races range from casual runs to competitive 5Ks, but local athletes like Warsaw’s Garett Carolus take running much farther, into ultramarathons.

Having started running at 40, Carolus credits it with improving his mind and body, and even with introducing him to his wife, Suzie.

Together, they’ve tackled countless events, including this year’s Badwater 135 across Death Valley, which Garett Carolus completed for the first time. Suzie Carolus has finished the “world’s toughest foot race” three times.

“The social aspect is huge,” said Garett Carolus, 60. “You meet people on the trails, during training and at races. It keeps you coming back.”

Footwear is another consideration. Ava Jones of Cloud 9 Multisport in Winona Lake said seniors often need shoes with stability features and wider toe boxes, such as the Hoka Gaviota, to accommodate bunions or hammertoes and improve balance.

Smaller community centers also offer space to move. The Syracuse Community Center runs free pickleball and walking programs, while North Webster Community Center offers healthy lifestyle programs like cardio drumming and yoga.

Garrett Callahan, left, and Ty Propp play pickleball in Winona Lake park. Pickleball is an especially popular sport amongst older players, with a 311% growth in participation from 2021-24 according to the latest SFIA Topline Participation Report. The North Webster Community Center recently installed its own courts. Photo by Maksym Hart.

Parks and trails in Warsaw, Winona Lake and surrounding towns provide low-cost ways to stay active.

Many programs double as social outlets. McQuade said class regulars often meet up afterward for cards or lunch-and-learn sessions. “They build a community and expect each other to be there every week,” he said.

Whether indoors or outdoors, competitive or casual, the message is the same: movement matters.

“Any gym thing, you go in hesitant, you come out feeling better,” Garett Carolus said. “You never regret it.”