Lesson 1.2: Responsibilities of the SilverSneakers Instructor

P – Purposeful and Positive 

Being prepared prior to class allows you to provide more purposeful movement. You can be ready to give “on the spot” variations that provide progressions and regressions of the movements. Because you may not know if a person has hip osteoarthritis, a hip replacement, or any other condition, be prepared to offer variations for progression and variations for regression of each exercise you select.

A – Achieve

Set achievable goals at the beginning of each class, such as “work within a pain free range of motion.” Invite participants to think about their own fitness goals for range of motion, strength, or function.

C – Connect

Connect movements in class with activities of daily life, recreation, and hobbies. For participants with healthy hips, managing hip osteoarthritis, or living with a hip replacement, understanding how an exercise in class is related to or benefits a daily activity provides greater motivation to do the exercise or complete the set.

For example, “This rhythm change in our squat progression will help you have more strength and power in your hips to stand up from your chair or get in and out of your car.” Ask your class members what they like to do for recreational activities. Prepare movements that will provide flexibility, strength, and balance to improve this activity. For example, you might explain that the hamstring stretch you are doing in class will help them have better mobility in the hips to bend over and pick up their golf ball or retrieve garden tools off the ground. Good communication and cuing is the key to success.

E – Empower

Empower class participants to select the appropriate range of motion and intensity of an exercise for a self-directed workout. It is not necessary to call out a specific condition such as hip osteoarthritis or a hip replacement. When you prepare your class ahead of time, you can plan for variations of the exercise that provide both progressions and regressions, and allow each participant to make the best choice no matter any condition they may be managing. We empower our participants when we are well prepared and can offer safe guidance for exercise progression.

Safety

Providing a safe group exercise experience for SilverSneakers class participants is our number one priority. Instructors are reminded to cue the following safety skills during class:

• Perceived exertion 
• Postural alignment
• Hydration
• Breathing

Identifying the benefits and risks of movement patterns and exercises will allow instructors to make better programming choices. Below are reminders of movement patterns for the lower body that have a higher risk for the general older-adult population (Reference: Foundations Lesson 3.4 Training Principles).