Research shows social connections are important for longevity and improved health, so a group of suburban women is using an exercise program to build strong bonds.
Every Tuesday at noon, rain, snow or shine, 20 women don their swimsuits, fasten their flotation belts and get ready to take a fluid running class at Superior Training's indoor pool in Willowbrook. doing.
“This is a deep-water exercise program or class. We run intervals of varying lengths and speeds, and the class is approximately one hour long,” said Jennifer Conroyd, founder of the Fluid Running Program.
The classes taught by instructor Conroyd are more than just a workout for some women.
“The class brought us together, but more importantly, we started eating breakfast,” said Carol Bobo, who has been taking the class for eight years.
Bobo's first class was in 2015, shortly after she retired after 38 years in education.
“I knew I had to do something and find someone,” Bobo said.
Bobo found his people through fluid running. She is one of 12 women who regularly attend classes together.
“A lot of people are lonely, and I'm blessed that I'm not. Running has done that for me,” said the 73-year-old, who lives in Oak Brook and attends classes three days a week. said Anna Sisson, 28.
The women socialize outside the pool, and some even go on vacation together.
“Some of us have formed a Fluid golf group, and we celebrate, we have a party, and we have coffee afterwards,” says John, who has been taking fluid running classes for 10 years. said Carla Pia.
Research has shown that social isolation is highly correlated with negative health outcomes, but health experts believe classes like this can change that.
“The more you want to put yourself out there and put yourself out there and have these experiences with people, the more you have a really great return on investment for yourself as a human being,” says Dr. Julie Brune, a sports medicine physician at Midwest University. . RUSH plastic surgery.
A group of women who bonded over a fluid running class say they're getting the best of both worlds.
“You can do this great exercise and training without any impact on your body,” Conroyd said.
They have also developed a friendship that extends far beyond water.
“It's always just sharing things. How can we lift each other up and support each other,” Bobo said.
“We grieve with others when we lose something. We celebrate when there is a victory,” Peer said.
It's more than the founders of Fluid Running expected.
“They've just formed some really nice friendships and they support each other through the good times and the bad times and it's really great to see this community that has formed from this exercise class,” Conroyd said.
