Workout to End Alzheimer's

Onelife Fitness is welcoming members and non-members on June 8 for "Workout to End Alzheimer's." The daylong event will raise awareness and funds for the Alzheimer's Association. Over 50 gyms in Virginia, Maryland, DC, West Virginia and Georgia are participating.

The event is open to both members and non-members. With a donation of $25 or more, participants can take fitness classes, such as Zumba, yoga, and spin, plus use the pools and gym equipment. Nearly 300 people are already signed up for the event. To learn more and sign up, visit the website to find a club near you and register for the class(es) you're interested in.

"Onelife is excited to support the Alzheimer’s Association," said Josh Keenum, group fitness director and event vice-chair. "We also want to spread the word that exercise is not only key to the health of your body, but also to your brain."

Keenum, of Kennesaw, GA, teaches fitness classes and was formerly on the Atlanta Hawks’ dance team. "The reason I really wanted to work with the Alzheimer’s Association is that both my grandparents suffered from dementia," he continued. "My grandmother was the first woman pharmacist in Georgia, so seeing her suffer while knowing how brilliant she was. It was hard to see."

Science shows that exercise - whether it's walking, dancing, gardening, or going to the gym - is one of the healthy habits people can adopt to help lower risk of cognitive decline and, possibly, of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Keenum understands that knowing exercise is good for you isn’t always motivation enough to lace up your sneakers. "Make exercise a regular habit," he said. "Gyms or group classes can offer a sense of community, which also helps with motivation."

Gina Willoughby, CEO of Willoughby Consulting Group, is the chair of Workout to End Alzheimer's. She's also an instructor known as Vitamin G at the Onelife gym in Rockville, MD. Willoughby likes how taking and teaching spin classes make her feel, but that’s not her only motivation. Concern for her own brain health also drives Willoughby to exercise.

When her mother developed Alzheimer’s, Willoughby set out to learn all she could about the disease. She appreciates the Alzheimer’s Association information and education resources, and their leadership in research for treatments and a cure. Understanding what the disease was doing helped her to connect to her mother.

Willoughby joined a caregiver support group, then later led a group at her mother’s residence. "I hear denial and frustration among family members. They think their loved one is deliberately doing something annoying, instead of recognizing that the disease is in control." She added, "My mother never forgot who I was. That was a miracle."

The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. To learn more, visit alz.org or call the Association's 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.