Fitness & Dance Activities

Fitness classes are open to residents of Belmont and surrounding towns, and targeted especially for participants age 50+. Beech Street Center classes are financially self-sustaining, with costs intended to cover instruction and supplies without profit. Scholarships funded by the Friends of the Belmont Council on Aging are available for Belmont residents with financial hardship -- please contact Nava Niv-Vogel to apply.

Unless otherwise specified, please visit the Beech Street Center front desk to register for a class. Most classes require you to register for a series rather than drop-in days, and can be prorated if you join a class mid-series. Please make checks payable to "Town of Belmont."

Gentle Aerobics
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:15 a.m.
A variety of low-impact moves and steps are combined and set to music. Movement combinations are performed at a consistent tempo to give an excellent cardiovascular workout while having fun. Through the various combinations all major muscles of the body are used. Intensity can be varied to accommodate most fitness levels. After a cool-down period there is a brief set of upper body strengthening exercises. Susan Barbato, Certified Fitness Trainer, is a popular exercise instructor at our Center. Cost: $42 for 12 classes.

Balance & Movement
Mondays and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. 
These exercises are designed to relieve pain from arthritis and other chronic conditions. They improve range and ease of movement while also emphasizing posture, balance and fall-prevention. All exercises can be adapted to be performed in a chair or standing. Instructor Muire Flynn has been teaching fitness classes for more than 23 years, and has highly specialized training through the Arthritis Foundation. Among her specialties are classes and programs to relieve pain in the lower back, sacrum hip, shoulders, upper back, and neck. Cost: $40 for 8 classes.

Bocce Lessons (May - September) 
Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. by appotinment
Lessons on our outdoor Bocce court, with equipment provided by the Beech Street Center. Choose one day or multiple days. Lessons are canceled on rainy days. Taught by Maria Mingace. Cost: Free.

Chair Yoga with Carol
Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. 
This class uses chairs to do a variety of gentle yoga stretches as well as standing poses that use the chair for support. This form of exercise helps participants gain strength, flexibility, balance, and to learn simple relaxation techniques. Safety and adapting movements to each individual is a priority. Cost: $36 for 6 classes

NEW! Chair Yoga Focus Series. 4 Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m. These modules with Loni, Peggy, and Carol emphasize one theme each month (such as balance, yoga for backs, yoga for arthritis, yoga for relaxation). In September, Peggy leads with a focus on balance. In October, Loni leads with a focus on balance. Cost: $24 per 4 sessions.

Chinese Dance/中国舞蹈团
Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Practice advanced dance routines. Free
练习中国舞蹈, 高级班.免费.

Core Workout
Mondays at 10:45 a.m.
Work the core muscles of the body for strength, stability, and posture while also toning abdominals, back of arms, hips, and waist. Also stretch areas that are prone to getting tight and less flexible (the back, hamstrings). Particular attention will be on learning to perform the exercises properly for maximum benefit. This class is an excellent supplement to other workouts such as walking or aerobics. Susan Barbato, Certified Fitness Trainer, is a popular exercise instructor at our Center. Cost: $50 for 6 classes.

Folk-Style Line Dancing
5 Wednesdays starting Mar. 28, 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Instructor Susan Lind-Sinanian teaches folk dances from traditions including Greek, Armenian, and Arabic cultures. Beech Street line dancers and new participants welcome! Cost: Free.

Matter of Balance
8 Mondays, 10 a.m. – 12 noon offered twice per year
​(you must sign up in advance and begin in the first 2 weeks to participate)
Fear of falling can limit your activities, resulting in physical weakness and making the risk of falling even greater. This evidence-based program reduces the fear of falling and increases your activity level. Two trained facilitators and a small group help you see falls as controllable, set goals, reduce fall risk at home, and exercise to increase strength and balance. Through grant funding, the Belmont Council on Aging and Springwell are offering this class (priority to Belmont residents). Cost: $10 payable to Town of Belmont for materials.

Power of Posture
6 Tuesdays , 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Good Posture equals Good Balance! This class is for anyone who wants to improve their balance and control. Learn how to strengthen and lengthen postural muscles while correcting imbalances in your posture that can lead to pain, lack of mobility and confidence.  Taught by personal trainer and former ballerina, Kim Clements. Cost: $48 for 6 classes.

Morning Gentle Yoga
​6 Fridays at 11 a.m. resuming in April 2018
Yoga is an effective way of maintaining or regaining balance, flexibility, and strength. The postures are gentle or strong, as each person is able, and can contribute to slowing down the osteoporosis process in the body. The class is a mixture of stretching and yoga postures, with a closing meditation. Bring your sense of humor along with your mat! Mina has taught continuing education and a senior yoga classes in Watertown for 15 years, and has been practicing yoga for over 40 years. Cost: $48 for all 6 classes.

Strength & Flexibility
Mondays and Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. OR Tuesdays at 11 a.m. OR Fridays at 1:15 p.m.
(sign up for one or more classes, days are not interchangeable) 
Based on chair exercises, this class focuses on limbering up through a range of motion exercises for all areas of the body. A variety of equipment, including resistance bands, hand weights, and ankle weights, are used to strengthen and tone targeted muscles. The emphasis is on building and maintaining the most optimal level of overall fitness for each individual within the camaraderie of a group. Susan Barbato, Certified Fitness Trainer, is a popular exercise instructor at our Center. Cost: $45 for 10 M/W classes OR $27 for 6 weekly classes

Stretch and Gentle Yoga
6 Tuesdays, 6 - 7 p.m. 
This class offers a gentle introduction to yoga poses for stretching muscles and restoring joints to better function, with explanation of poses in plain English. Poses include standing, sitting on a mat, and lying flat. Special attention is paid to adaptations for your body’s particular needs. These classes help you focus on your body’s sensations, practice deep breathing, and end with a closing meditation so you will leave feeling mobile, mindful, and renewed. Beginners and experienced students welcome. Bring your sense of humor along with your mat! Instructor Mina Gibb has taught continuing education and senior yoga classes in Watertown for 17 years, and has been practicing yoga for over 40 years. Minimum 5 students for this course to begin. Cost: $60 for 6 sessions due in advance (prorated if joining late). 

StrongWomen Fitness Class
6 Thursdays, 2:45 to 3:45 offered occasionally
This 6-week course teaches women age 50+ how to build and maintain muscle strength as we age.   This easy-to-follow class can launch your strength training program to help you increase your strength, bone density, balance, power, energy, and self-confidence. The teaching follows a research-based curriculum from Tufts University. Taught by certified instructor Suzi Wojdyslawski. Cost: $48 for 6 classes.

Tai Chi
Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. OR Fridays at 10:30 a.m. 
Learn essential forms of Tai Chi to help improve balance, posture and reduce stress. Studies have shown that seniors doing Tai Chi can benefit by increased circulation and lowered blood pressure. Calvin Chin teaches Wu style Tai Chi, the same movements he teaches to seniors at Calvin Chin's Martial Arts Academy in Newton Highlands, MA. Cost: $42 for 6 classes.

Informal Tai Chi
Tuesdays at 9 a.m.
This group is for people experienced with Tai Chi practice, and is self-led without an instructor. Newcomers are welcome at any time without registering in advance. Cost: Free.

Walking Group (April - October)
Tuesdays and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.
Enjoy some fresh air and mild walking while also enjoying conversation and camaraderie. Meet in the lobby. Newcomers are welcome at any time without registering in advance. The group is canceled in cold or inclement weather. Cost: Free.

Zumba Gold
Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Perfect for active adults, age 50+, who are looking for a modified Zumba® class that recreates the original moves you love at a lower-intensity. Classes taught by local instructor Veronica Kolb focus on cardiovascular fitness, muscular conditioning, flexibility and balance! Cost: $48 for 6 classes.