Strong Bones Program Growing Stronger!

In 2008, Nancy Krueger started the Strong Bones program and taught one class in Waupaca and one class in Hilbert. Today, there are classes in Chilton, Sherwood, Hilbert, New Holstein, Hortonville, Brillion, Waupaca, New London, Iola, Clintonville, Kaukauna and Appleton.

Strong Women from New Holstein.
Strong Women from New Holstein.

“People drove from all over Calumet County to participate in the class I was leading in Hilbert,” she said. “One participant asked me how they could get a class in New Holstein, and I suggested – lead one!”

So Krueger began to recruit one volunteer from each class to lead future classes.

Strong Bones is an RSVP 55+ Program and the local name for The StrongWomen Program, which is a national evidence-based community exercise and nutrition program targeted to midlife and older women. Because both men and women can lead the program and benefit from participating in the program, the name was changed. It still is called StrongWomen in Calumet County.

Krueger is the health & wellness coordinator for the Aging and Disability Resource Center that serves Calumet, Outagamie and Waupaca counties. As the master trainer for the state, she has trained more than 30 volunteers locally over the last decade.

After they are trained, volunteers teach weekly low-impact exercise classes to older adults. They include progressive weight training, flexibility and balance activities. The 10- to 12-week classes begin after Labor Day and run through November.

When asked about the greatest reward of teaching, she said it was the enthusiasm of the volunteers and hearing about the results of the program.

“Most of the volunteers have been with me for more than 8 years,” she said. “A lot of people report sleeping better. A lot of people are able to walk longer and stand without support and climb stairs more easily and have less pain. They can help with yard work. Just those little success stories of people getting healthier and stronger, like hearing, ‘Oh, I can stand up and pick up my grandkids.’”

Cheryl Reissmann is one of the local volunteers she trained. Reissmann co-teaches with Jayne Heinrich at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Appleton. She finds teaching rewarding and says the class is more than just exercising.

“It’s something that I really enjoy,” she said, “seeing people take charge of their health and do exercises that should help maintain independence. It’s also camaraderie – there is a social aspect to the class. You find people that have things in common.”

People with arthritis, heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity and back pain often benefit the most from the program. Other benefits:

  • Improves mood and attitude
  • Decreases depression
  • Allows you to sleep more soundly
  • Increases energy level
  • Allows you to enjoy the company of others and build a new circle of friends

SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

Calumet County StrongWomen
(All classes start after Labor Day)

Dates: Tuesday/Thursday
Location: Sherwood Village Hall Gym, Sherwood
Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Dates: Tuesday/Thursday
Location: Kiwanis Park Community Center, New Holstein
Time: 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Dates: Tuesday/Thursday
Location: Kiwanis Park Community Center, New Holstein
Time: 9-10 a.m.

Registration & info for classes above: Contact Nancy Krueger at nkrueger@vpind.com or 920-740-9572

Dates: Monday/Thursday
Location: Calumet County Courthouse- Chilton
Time: 12:00-1 p.m.
Registration & info: Contact Vicki  Halbach at 920-849-1611

Dates: Tuesday/Thursday
Location: Willowdale Nursing and  Rehabilitation, New Holstein
Time: 3-4 p.m.
Registration & info: Contact Wendy Jacobs at 920-898-5706

Dates: Mondays/Thursdays
Location: St. Peter Lutheran School
Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Registration & info: Contact Nancy Krueger at nkrueger@vpind.com or 920-740-9572

 

Outagamie County Strong Bones Offerings Fall 2017

Dates: Tuesdays/Thursdays starting Tuesday,
September 5, 2017

Location: First Congregational United Church of Christ
Time: 7:00am-8:00am

Dates: Tuesdays/Thursdays starting Tuesday
September 5, 2017
Location: Hortonville Municipal Services Building
Time: 11:00am-12:00pm

Dates: Mondays/Thursdays starting Thursday
September 7, 2016
Location: First United Methodist Church of Appleton
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm

Dates: Tuesdays/Thursday starting Sept. 12, 2017
Location: Kaukauna Town Hall- W780 Greiner Rd, Kaukauna
Time: 8:00am-9:00am

Dates: Monday/Friday starting Sept. 11
Location: Thompson Center on Lourdes
Time: 10:30am-11:30am

For All Classes Above: Contact Nancy Krueger at (920) 740-9572 or nkrueger@vpind.com to register and get more information

 

Dates: Tuesdays/Thursdays
Location: Kaukauna Recreation Department
Time: 8:30am-9:30am
Registration and More Information: Contact the Kaukauna Recreation Department at (920) 766-6335

Dates: TBD- After Labor Day
Location: Appleton Alliance Sportsplex
Time: TBD
Registration and More Information: Contact Courtney Geisler at (920) 931-1128 or register online at www.appletonalliance.org