On the early morning of March 18, 2024, Dr. Robin Birchfield’s Full Body Strength Class met at the BMC Wellness Center. Meeting every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:15 a.m., people of all ages are invited to attend.
A practicing CRNP at Bibb Medical Center, Robin has led this class since the opening of the Wellness Center nearly three years ago. She shared that they usually have between 8-15 people join them each class, but it varies. She emphasized how building and maintaining muscle mass is so important for your overall health – especially since one begins to lose muscle mass each year starting around the age of 35.
Starting off strong with playing some Earth, Wind, and Fire to get everyone grooving a little bit, Robin led everyone through some warmups to get their blood moving, such as walking in place and arm circles. Focusing on overall strength for the whole body, she worked out alongside the members of the class in strength training exercises. Some of these included supersets of variations of lunges, squats, and arm presses with light weights. Frequent breaks between sets were given as well, of course, because taking a moment to let your body rest and recover is important as well. At the end of the 30 minute class, a stretch and cool down time comes before everyone bids each other a great day and goes their separate ways, ready to tackle the day ahead.
If there is one thing the Wellness Center focuses on in everything they offer, it’s a focus on community support. Emily Bowman, who has attended this class since before it even started at the Wellness Center, shared that for her, it’s about more than just the physical exercise, but the mental and emotional too. For many of those who don’t have much reason to leave the house and interact, the classes at the Wellness Center are a great way to find your people. “It’s just good,” Bowman shared. “It’s good for the soul.”
Meeting on a Monday is not their usual time, nor is the time of 7 a.m. – but they were more than happy to accommodate and welcome in Jeh Jeh Pruitt, a live reporter for WBRC Fox 6 who featured this class for their weekly segment called “Exercise Monday” on March 18th.
If you are a member of the BMC Wellness Center, each class they offer is free to you – but if you are not a member and are interested in joining in and trying a class anyway, you may do so for $5 a class. It’s a great way to try it out and see what it’s all about and consider if it might be a good fit for you or your family.
Want to give the Wellness Center’s Full Body Strength Class a try to get those gains and benefit your overall health? Give them a call at 205-926-3360 or stop by to see them at 285 Hospital Drive, Centreville, AL 35042. They would love to have you!
