Strong Women Classes Forming



To register: Click on the picture, print out the form, fill it in, and send to Penn State Cooperative Extension, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA  17202, or FAX to 263-9228



A new set of classes, just like the ones from the Fall are forming in Franklin County.  Originally developed by Dr. Miriam Nelson, a professor at Tufts University in Boston, the Strong Women Program provides twice a week sessions for a period of six weeks.  This research based program is designed to help increase strength, bone density, balance and energy.

Women from age thirty-five on can start to lose one-quarter to one-third pound of muscle each year—and gain that much or more in fat*.  At first,  the change isn’t especially noticeable, but over time the loss of 2 percent of strength per year results in muscle weakness and difficulty in moving.

Strong Women strength-training class at Belen Community Center in Valencia County, New Mexico

When this happens, women slow their activities, become weaker, gain more weight, and begin a devastating cycle of dieting and weight gain rebound, which leads to more muscle mass loss and a sedentary and dependent lifestyle. This doesn’t have to be your future.

The Tufts research indicated that after a year of strength training twice a week, women’s bodies were fifteen to twenty years more youthful.*  Women who participated in the program regained bone and muscle while losing fat. They became stronger, energized, and more active.

Who should attend?

Women 40 years of age and older who have been active or relatively sedentary for the past few years and are interested in improving their health, vitality, and well-being.

Classes—What to expect

• A five minute warm-up
• Eight to twelve strength-training exercises to promote proper body awareness, positioning, flexibility, and posture
• Easy-to-Use Nutrition Information
• A five-minute cool-down

For more information, contact:

Mary Ann Oyler
181 Franklin Farm Lane
Chambersburg, PA 17202
Email: mko4@psu.edu 

Classes take one hour, meet twice a week, and run for six weeks. The cost is $45.00 for the whole six week session (12 classes). Pre-registration is preferred but potential participants are welcome to attend the first session to determine if the class is a good fit for them.

Cooperative Extension is offering Strong Women classes at various locations throughout the county:

  1. New Guilford Brethren In Christ  1575 Mont Alto Road Fayetteville, PA 17222

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays
Dates: January 10—February 16
Time: 9:00 AM—10:00 AM 

2. Church of the Brethren 260 South 4th Street Chambersburg, PA 17201

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Dates: January 11—February 17
Time: 10:00 AM—11:00 AM

3. First United Methodist Church 11 North Fayette Street Mercersburg, PA 17236

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Dates: January 11—February 17
Time: 9:30 AM—10:30 AM

4. Memorial Lutheran Church 34 East Orange Street Shippensburg, PA 17257

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Dates: January 11—February 17
Time: 9:00AM—10:00 AM

5. The Brethren Fellowship  339 Lincoln Way East Chambersburg, PA 17201

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays
Dates: January 10—February 16
Time: 5:45 PM—6:45 PM

6. First United Methodist Church 11 North Fayette Street Mercersburg, PA 17236

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Dates: January 11—February 17
Time: 6:00 PM—7:00 PM

7. Evangelical Lutheran Church 130 North Washington Street Greencastle, PA 17225

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays
Dates: February 22—March 31
Time: 9:30 AM—10:30 AM

8. Faith United Methodist Church 104 North Potomac Street Waynesboro, PA 17268

Days: Tuesday & Thursdays
Dates: January 11—February 17
Time: 9:00 AM– 10:00 AM

9. Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church Intersection of Route 75 and 641 Spring Run, PA 17262

Days: Mondays & Wednesdays
Dates: March 7—April 13
Time: 9:00 AM– 10:00 AM 

You can click on the brochure picture at the beginning of this post, print it, and register by filling in the information and sending it in to Penn State Cooperative Extension at 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202.

Make a commitment to grow stronger and trimmer, and feel better about yourself. StrongWomen is a safe, simple, and highly effective strength training program.

*Tufts University’s Human Nutrition Re-search Center on Aging (Nelson et al., 1994)