Former Lion’s linebacker gets seniors into shape

Kayla Kiley | Cadillac News LionŐs linebacker from the 1960s, Ernie Clark, recently taught Manton seniors how to work out while sitting in a chair. Clark believes itŐs important for people of all ages and fitness levels to exercise, and he told the class, ŇAge is not a number, itŐs an attitude. If you think youŐre old, you are!Ó

MANTON — Manton senior citizen Eleanor Sosenko can shovel and rake without feeling the muscle aches.

How, you ask? She’s been following a workout routine designed by former Lion’s linebacker, Ernie Clark.

“I no longer worry about (my body) hurting after I shovel snow, weed my garden or rake gravel out of my yard,” Sosenko said. “I’m 68 years old and I did not feel sore the next day (after doing strenuous activities).”

Like many other Manton area seniors, Sosenko attributes her enhanced muscles to Clark’s exercise routine.

Clark’s workout is no ordinary exercise routine — he’s taken it to a new level. And it’s one you should sit down for — literally.

This ex-linebacker’s workout regiment is entirely done while sitting in a chair.

Clark’s workout program is aimed at getting senior citizens into shape, and it incorporates stimulating the mind as well as muscles.

“I can speak their (seniors’) language, because I am the language,” Clark said. “I can relate to seniors because I am one, and I am going through the same things.”

For the past 10 years, the 70-year-old has been teaching his workout program, and it has been a hit with seniors around the country. Clark’s senior workout routine is available on DVD, and Manton Senior Center has taken a liking to Clark’s DVD program.

For nine months, five days a week, Manton seniors have been doing Clark’s exercises, and it’s “doing people a lot of good,” Sosenko said.

The seniors who have been following the program are able to do more strenuous activities like raking and hiking without experiencing the after-aches, according to Sosenko.

As a special treat, Clark stopped by the center to teach a live class and answer seniors’ questions.

Clark taught an exercise class, while offering motivational messages in his booming jock-like voice.

“Age is not a number, it’s an attitude. If you think you’re old, you are!” he told Manton seniors during exercises.

There were lots of smiles and laughs as seniors counted their reps during exercises like “PowerSit Walk” or “Bellies Gotta’ Go.”

Not only did Clark talk to Manton seniors about exercise, he also spoke on the importance of nutrition and stimulating the mind.

“Stay away from preserved and canned foods because of all the sodium, and eat all the fresh foods you can,” he advised.

Clark also encouraged the group to do crossword puzzles and memory games. It’s important to stimulate both the mind and muscles because, “If you don’t use it, you lose it,” Clark said.

The senior center shows Clark’s DVD and hosts free classes beginning at 11:15 a.m. Monday through Friday. Everyone is welcome to attend.

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Do the workouts

1. SUPPLEMENTAL BREATHING ROUTINE: Because most seniors breathe from the chest area rather than the diaphragm, they only breathe in about 1/3 of the oxygen they breathed in as a child. Supplementary breathing is needed to properly oxygenate the blood.

DO THE EXERCISE: