ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Twenty people are seated in a circle at the George P. Thames Senior Center in Robertsdale, grappling with hand weights and standing to use sticks to help them stretch.

No, you haven’t come across the Baldwin County version of a cult. This is the regularly scheduled exercise class at the center.

Becky Hayes, a Loxley resident and a retired registered nurse, leads the class each Thursday morning at the center.

“We moved to Loxley, and my husband had aneurysm surgery. I needed to lose weight so I started going to the class,” said Hayes. “Peggy Gruber was running the class and she had to quit.”

Hayes found herself leading the class. She says she uses exercises that Gruber used and she watches medical studies and other exercise programs to see what new things can be applied to seniors.

“I like to change it up now and then,” she said with a smile.

While she likes variety, some of her students don’t.

“They want everything to be the same,” she laughed, adding that she understood the desire to stick to the familiar, but added, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.”

According to Hayes, “a lot of exercises are done in a chair. We work on balance, strength and toning.”

Sarah Duncan, the senior center’s director, said, “Exercise is so important for everyone, especially for our senior population. “Motion is lotion” is our motto. Exercise helps our bodies stay balanced, decreases depression, (and one can) meet with friends for fellowship, etc. Our people really enjoy the classes — they feel better and enjoy visiting with friends.

One member of the exercise class remained in her chair for the entire class, modifying the exercise to suit her needs. Others used the backs of their chairs to balance themselves for the more difficult parts of the exercise.

Hayes’ husband, Ed, participates in the class. Although he does not speak because of his surgery, it’s clear that he is enthusiastic about the class.

And Hayes says, the class is “open to all.” There may be a fee to join the center (call 251-947-8973 for information), but the gear costs about $6 for the bands and strap the participants use during the program. The equipment can be purchased at the center or at local stores.

Hayes also works with the “Rockin-etts” a dance team that appears with the center’s kazoo band and other groups.

Hayes, who performed with song and dance groups when she was younger, dances and does the choreography. The routines are not difficult to learn, she says, and the group performs at senior centers and other events throughout the area.

“We have a great time,” said Hayes. “It’s a good way to go out, have fun and meet people.”