Bingocize: Where fun meets fitness

Seniors ‘play’ at fall-prevention

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SIDNEY - Seniors in the tri-town area of Sidney, Unadilla, and Bainbridge have discovered a lively new way to stay on their feet — literally and figuratively. The Delaware County Office for the Aging has introduced Bingocize, a program that fuses physical exercise, mental stimulation, and the fun of Bingo into one hour of non-stop activity.

Led by the ever-energetic Terri Tweedie, Bingocize takes participants through a series of balance-enhancing exercises, including oblique crunches, resistance-band chest presses, and static balance stands, among others. But this is no ordinary workout. Between each 45-second exercise cycle, seniors are challenged with trivia questions that sharpen their minds and, of course, rounds of Bingo that fuel their competitive spirit.

“It’s multidimensional,” said participant Janet Povlock. “It’s a great way to socialize and have fun.”

For Pat Park, who looks forward to the program each week, Bingocize is more than just exercise. “It’s good for the soul. It makes you feel better,” she said. As someone who lives alone, Park finds the program, along with the senior meals that follow, to be a crucial opportunity for connection and camaraderie, especially since the death of her husband.

Tweedie, with her infectious enthusiasm, is the heart of the program. She not only leads the exercises but also cheers on participants with the energy of a true motivator, all while keeping their minds engaged and their bodies moving. The program’s finale — a Rolling Disco Ball exercise complete with John Travolta-inspired 70s dance moves — has everyone laughing, moving, and grooving.

For more information on Bingocize and other senior-focused programs, contact the Delaware County Office for the Aging at 607-832-5750.