Ball of Strength Helps Participants Get in Shape

Participants in Franciscan Alliance's monthly Franciscanfit Mallwalkers program at Westfield Southlake Mall on April 25 received a lesson in how use of a mini-ball can help boost core body strength.

Jane Bogordos, fitness supervisor for Franciscan Omni Health & Fitness centers, demonstrated numerous techniques to participants.

Blood pressure screenings also were offered by Barbara Neely, a cardiac rehabilitation technician at Franciscan St. Margaret Health - Hammond, and by Christy Cleveland, a registered nurse in that unit.

The program takes place on the fourth Thursday of each month on the mall's lower level, outside of the JC Penney store.

For more information, call (219) 931-3322.

For more photos of this event, check us out on Facebook at facebook.com/FranciscanNWI.

"Move Those Muscles" - Mallwalkers Event Oct. 26

"Move Those Muscles" is the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free event, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana and Westfield Southlake mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. Oct. 26.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Jane Bogordos and Julia Ladewski, certified instructors at Omni Health and Fitness in Schererville. Learn about group exercise techniques that will boost your metabolism, increase your endurance and make you excited about working out.

Muscle assessments will also be offered.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall's lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Mallwalkers Learn to Balance Aging with Strength, Control

A healthy number of participants received lessons in balance and strength control, as they relate to the aging process, during the Aug. 24 Franciscanfit Mallwalkers program at Westfield Southlake Mall in Hobart.

Jane Bogordos, exercise physiologist at Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville, discussed the benefits of balance and core strength and led audience members in related exercises, including a number using a seated ball, during the program.

In case you missed it...here is a video recap:

Pulmonary function screenings were offered by Franciscan St. Anthony Health-Crown Point.

The program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana, takes place from 8 to 10 a.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month on the mall’s lower level, outside of the JC Penney store.

For more information, call (219) 931-3322.

Mallwalkers Get Stronger at Franciscan Alliance Event

Tammy Pankau, a certified group fitness expert at Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville, shows participants in the Franciscanfit Mallwalkers program April 27 how to sharpen their mental focus, boost stamina and improve muscle mass, through an interactive program of lower- and upper-body strength training.

Participants used resistance bands for their workout, which also included stretching exercises prior to using the bands, and cooling down methods at the end of the session. Body mass index and blood pressure screenings also were available.

The free program takes place on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Westfield Southlake mall in Hobart. For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

FranciscanFit Mallwalkers Program Set for April 27

Strength training will be the presentation topic for the next Franciscanfit -- Steps to Good Health monthly Mallwalkers program.

The free program, sponsored by Franciscan Alliance  hospitals in northern Indiana and Westfield Southlake mall, is scheduled for 8 to 10 a.m. April 27.

The public is invited to attend a 9 a.m. presentation of the program theme offered by Tammy Pankau, a certified group fitness expert at Omni 41 Health and Fitness Connection in Schererville. Pankau will teach participants ways to sharpen  focus, boost stamina and improve muscle mass with an all-ages interactive program on strength training of upper and lower body.

Body mass index and blood pressure screenings also will be available.

New Mallwalkers members are welcome to register for the program, which takes place on the mall’s lower level, outside of JC Penney, on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Regular walkers hours are 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Sundays.

For more information, call (800) 931-3322.

Franciscan Alliance hospitals in northern Indiana include Franciscan Physicians Hospital LLC in Munster, St. Margaret Health-Dyer and Hammond, St. Anthony Health-Michigan City and St. Anthony Health-Crown Point.