EASY DOES IT EXERCISE CLASS MARKS 10 YEARS

Occasionally, a new, young instructor comes to lead the Easy Does It exercise class, takes one look at the group with an average age over 60, and decides the group needs a tepid workout.

Wrong.

The Easy Does It class, which has met for 10 years, isn't a group for grandmas, even though many of its members are in their 60s and 70s. It's a rigorous aerobic class followed by 20 minutes of stretching. Members exercise twice a week, almost never miss and count their exercise attendance in years.

Jeanne Farrar, 72, is one of the charter members. "It's good for your health," she said as she carried her mat following the stretching exercise. "It's good for flexibility, coordination, circulation -- it helps just about everything."

Farrar hopes she's still stepping with the class in another 10 years.

Wyn Hirsch, a six-year member of the class, said, "It's like church -- it's a duty for good health."

Hirsch said she feels comfortable in the class because instructors are professionally trained. The course is coordinated through Southeast Missouri Hospital. Anyone may participate.

As the dance portion of the class began to wind down and the women were doing front kicks, one member yelled, "Look out Rockettes."

Barbara Rust, a seven-year member of the class, said the women attend for a good workout. "This is not one of those places where you come in Spandex and makeup," she said. "We don't need fancy pants to cover up these varicose veins."

Debbie Leoni, who teaches the course, said her dedicated pupils want to stay healthy. "They want to avoid the debilitating effects of inactivity," she said.

The people in the course are upbeat and enthusiastic. They groaned only once during Tuesday's class, after a set of 36 sit-ups.

Leoni said instructors are cautious about the workouts they plan and know alternatives and modifications for people with injuries or illnesses. She also likes to mix up the routines, just to keep her pupils on their toes.

"It's good for your brain as well as your body," Rust said.

Leoni said, "These people are growing old the way I hope to: They are staying active and maintaining a very positive outlook."