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MURRAY — Rae Reggan likes showing off her yoga moves.
The 72-year-old senior heads to class at the Taylorsville Senior Center twice a week where she does everything but the "upward-facing dog" pose because of residual pain from a fractured spine two years ago.
"It gets harder as you get older because your body doesn't want to do it. Your body says, 'Ouch,'" Reggan said. "But I wouldn't miss it. I love it."
In addition to the workout she gets, Reggan said she likes the camaraderie she's found doing yoga with other people her age who also like yoga.
"And to show off," she said, "because I can do it."
There are 19 senior centers throughout Salt Lake County where seniors can take part in an array of fitness classes and other activities, as well as meet others with similar interests and at similar stages of life, and have lunch — all free of charge.
"It's to help older adults get moving," said Marianne Christensen, health promotions manager for Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services. She said anyone can benefit from more activity.
"Nobody is active enough," Christensen said. "There's a saying that exercise is one of the most widely prescribed medications, and if you think about it, for everything that ails you, exercise can help."
Outdoor enthusiast and retired news man Reece Stein spoke at a senior fitness event Wednesday at Wheeler Historic Farm and said he aims to get out of his house twice a day.
Stein, 70, attends an aerobics class at a local senior center twice a week, which he joked "is almost as hard as going to church."
Stein outlined a variety of hikes available throughout the valley and surrounding mountains in the county. And he mentioned that a set of hiking poles, purchased at a local sporting goods store, provide added stability and help him get around in the backcountry.
Exercise has made me young. It helps my brain, my coordination and my physical well-being.
–Emy Davis, 63
"Take your time. It's not a race. And if it were, I couldn't win anyway," he said. "I encourage you all to get out and go."
And while Emy Davis is 63 years old and enjoys visiting the senior centers for a variety of exercise opportunities nearly every day of the week, she said staff members try to disagree with her about her age all the time.
"Exercise has made me young," she said. "It helps my brain, my coordination and my physical well-being."
Davis, who ran cross country and played softball in high school, said she volunteered at the centers for a long time, but realized she should now instead be enjoying what they offer.
"I'm doing my best to stay fit," said Reggan, who wears a sparkling blue sequined hat while she works out, "because it makes me feel happy."
For more information about classes and other services offered at the various senior centers in Salt Lake County, visit slco.org/aging-adult-services or call the Active Aging Program at 385-468-3080.
