StrongBodies classes at the Sixteenth Street Community Health Center in Milwaukee are offered completely in Spanish. Known as GenteFuerte, the classes are designed to improve strength, endurance, balance and flexibility, important for keeping one’s body working well as one ages. Carmen Bambrila, a volunteer leader, said, “Personally, I am very grateful to the University for this opportunity that they are giving us, and above all that there is some opportunity for those of us who only speak Spanish. And this program is incredible.”
Jennifer Whitty, Health Promotion Program Coordinator for Extension’s Health & Well-being Institute, said, “The Sixteenth Street Community Health Center has been a wonderful partner in introducing GenteFuerte to the Milwaukee community. This collaboration is helping us reach a historically underserved audience, providing the opportunity to build not only physical strength but also to foster social, mental, and emotional well-being.”
As people age, their bone density decreases, leading to increased chances of breaking bones and having other injuries. Research has shown that moderate strength-based exercise two-three times a week can prevent large amounts of bone density loss, especially in women. StrongBodies/GenteFuerte teaches adults of all ages how to use weights properly to prevent health issues in aging and inspire them to become health leaders in their families and communities.
In August 2022, the first cohort of Spanish-language trained GenteFuerte leaders graduated from their StrongBodies facilitator training. After spending time strengthening community partnerships, training more volunteers, and refining programming to be relevant to Spanish-speaking audiences, the classes are picking up in popularity. Read more in the participants’ words below.
Lucia Sanchez, another volunteer leader, said, “I attended this program the first time around as a participant, and now I am teaching it. I have learned so much in participating. This has improved my self-esteem and my physical condition. I feel more agile and can do other things that I was depriving myself of doing because my knee or my back was hurting.” She also said, “I like the group, that we form as a community, another family. And we know each other—we joke around, and we are always together taking care of each other.”
Volunteer leader Gloria Flores takes her role seriously. “That is my favorite part of participating or being a leader of this: to prepare myself to give my best to the group,” said Flores.
One participant noted the class changed their daily routines, “Well, before, I kind of just stayed at home and watched TV, and now I say, ‘No, I’m going to change it up because we have to do this. I have to go!’ And I hurry up to do what I need to do because I already know that I must come here to this group.”
One participant said her favorite part is staying active to help her stay healthy. “It connected when I took the training. I had recently been diagnosed with diabetes. So from there, this was a great fit for me, or it fit like a ring, as we say. Because I had a non-active lifestyle. I did walks, I did cardio, but nothing to do with strength.”
After a family tragedy, one participant’s sister convinced her to join StrongBodies classes. She said, “The truth is I did feel better, and I felt it served as therapy. My other sister, who is here also, invited me, and I have felt very good.”
Bambrila also noted, “This is a program, that above all else, will help to strengthen you from the inside and out because we are talking about our bones, our muscles, and by exercising these, our mind is also getting stronger.” She added, “To be a leader or to motivate someone, I have to start with myself. This program caught my attention a lot because they said they were simple, simple exercises. Yes, yes they are simple. But in the long run, the weight and everything makes one motivated to want more. I could be a reflection towards people, and I have to start with myself to be able to inspire them, to be able to be better for myself and the people around me.”
“GenteFuerte provides a community hub that removes some socio-economic and language obstacles to wellness. While the program focus is about building physical strength, equally important is the space that GenteFuerte creates,” said Whitty. “While most participants join as strangers to each other, they often find that they have shared lived experiences, struggles, and joys. GenteFuerte has provided a space where participants build strength and resilience through their shared experiences, fostering a sense of community that’s crucial for sustained well-being.”
StrongBodies/GenteFuerte is a program offered through Extension’s Health & Well-Being Institute in partnership with communities statewide. It is part of a portfolio of opportunities Extension delivers to every part of Wisconsin offering health, nutrition, and physical/mental fitness programming. The program is based on the StrongWomen Program created by Professors Miriam E. Nelson and Rebecca Seguin. It’s designed to catalyze positive change in people of all ages to live stronger, healthier lives by providing knowledge, inspiration, access to programs, and ongoing support.
Find a StrongBodies class, virtual or in-person, near you here. Or see a class in action on PBS Wisconsin University Place at pbs.org/video/strongbodies-strength-training-for-life-xhmva8
