Before Melanie Dorsey joined Suburban Hospital’s Senior Shape exercise classes at Potomac Community Center, she was afraid to try many exercises on her own, fearing she would not do them correctly and potentially hurt herself. Now, after attending classes for more than a year, 69-year-old Dorsey has strengthened her core and improved her balance.

“Thanks to the Senior Shape classes and instructors, I have become stronger. I am delighted and grateful!” says Dorsey.

Toney Brantley, a program coordinator in the Community Health and Wellness department at Suburban Hospital, says the Senior Shape classes aim to address the physical, emotional and social health challenges faced by adults 55 and older in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

The classes are 45 minutes and focus on cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, balance and flexibility. Senior Shape classes align with the 2025 Montgomery County Hospital Collaborative Community Health Needs Assessment priorities. In Prince George’s County, the Senior Shape program is made possible through a long-standing partnership among Suburban Hospital, Johns Hopkins Medicine, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

Brantley says the participants come from a wide range of life experiences. They often have chronic health conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, and some have limited mobility and social isolation. All participants want to improve their health and stay independent. Their progress is measured through an annual physical assessment. Through an annual survey, they report lower blood pressure, improved blood sugar levels, reduced falls and weight loss.

“Many of our participants are repeat participants. They keep coming back. They are excited, extremely motivated and committed to improving their health outcomes,” Brantley says.

Brantley says the Senior Shape classes have become a place of connection. Participants start as strangers and become friends.

“Community is essential to healthy aging,” says Brantley. “A fitness class like Senior Shape becomes much more than exercise. It becomes a support network. Participants can exercise, laugh, share stories and encourage each other while aging in place. It’s a true measure of success.”

Dorsey says making friends in the class has been a bonus for her.

“The one thing I did not predict was how fun the classes can be! The instructors come up with new sets of exercises, new soundtracks, and even sometimes incorporate games into the classes. You leave class refreshed, in a good mood from having moved and strengthened your body,” Dorsey says.

Dorsey attends the classes twice a week.

“The classes frame my week and lead me to set personal goals,” Dorsey says. “I can tell how much I am hopefully improving or perhaps not feeling as strong in certain areas. Having attended all the classes for more than a year is a point of pride for me, especially because it can be difficult to get to class due to my health issues.”

Senior Shape coach Luis Gyles says participants can be a little intimidated when they start because they have some doubts that they may not be able to handle the challenges of group classes. After they attend for a while, he can see their confidence grow and their quality of life improve.

“It’s amazing to see how they can improve physically with the right guidance and challenge,” Gyles says. “One time, I was stuck in traffic, and two students took the initiative to instruct the class without me being present, using the exercises that they learned. That brought me great joy!”

Marion Finkbinder, 73, says the first time she attended the Senior Shape class, she thought she would never be able to do it. Now she attends class four times a week.

“The leaders are so accommodating. They always give alternative ways to do things,” says Finkbinder. “I know that strength and balance are important as you age. I know that I need it to prevent stiffness and being sedentary.”

Finkbinder says she has learned which exercises help with posture and walking. She says she has gotten stronger and has been surprised that she could do it.

“In the past year, I started a stability ball class,” Finkbinder says. “For the first class, we were supposed to do 12 reps, and when we got to six, I was done. I made it my personal goal to do seven the next time. Now I can do all 12. It’s not easy, but I can do it.”

Finkbinder says she has gotten to know people in the classes, and they all share the same goals.

“We all have the same goals to be fit and live a life where we can still do things we can enjoy. We’re all in it together,” Finkbinder says. “Each teacher has said that if you move, you’re going to do better than if you don’t. Everything that I’ve read says movement is important to living a long life. Senior Shape classes have been a great investment in myself.”

For more information, visit https://events.suburbanhospital.org/.