Strength Training

Michael Phelps is ridiculous. Sometimes when I watch this guy swim, I expect to see a dolphin tail sprout from behind him. Not only has he won every medal race he's swum in so far, he also set new world records for good measure. Phelps doesn't just win. He dominates. In one race, his goggles were filled with water and he couldn't see. He still won! When I researched Michael Phelps for this article, I checked out profiles of him in USAToday and on NBC. I discovered some amazing things about why he performs so amazingly well, and so much better than in the 2004 games.

Nine dogs competed in three games at the Peaceable Paws training center in Fairplay. The winners were: Tennis ball catch: first place (tie) — Mya, a 3-year-old curly-coated retriever owned by James Wagner of Hagerstown; first place (tie) — Harley, a 4-year-old hound mix owned by Katie Ervin of Hagerstown; third place — Annie, a 7-year-old whoodle (wheaten terrier/poodle) owned by Shawn Alton of Hagerstown. Find it: first place — Grace, a 2-year-old Belgian tervuren owned by Kristy Pottol of Hagerstown; second place — Gretel, a 4-year-old German shepherd mix owned by James Latonick of Martinsburg, W.Va.

TRI-STATE -- At age 76, Wayne Weber never had set foot in a gym before Saturday. He never needed to because work always kept him in shape, he said. Yet as he flipped his calendar to 2009, he felt something new -- for the first time since retiring from farming, he felt his age. "I want to turn life back a bit," he said as he signed up for a trial membership at Gold's Gym in Hagerstown. "I want muscles and to feel 65 again and feel happy. " Across the Tri-State area, many people such as Weber said hello to 2009 with the resolve to sweat their way to better health.

Maryland Francis Murphy 20014 Rosebank Way, Hagerstown 240-313-9300, ext. 154 Lunch served Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 11:30 a.m.; and Wednesday at 11 a.m. Bingo - Friday, 9:45 a.m. Bring a guest to lunch - Tuesday Presidential trivia - Wednesday, 10:45 a.m. Pneumonia: How to avoid it, and exercise with Helen House - Thursday, 9:45 a.m. Hancock 126-128 High St., Hancock ...

Events and programs this week at senior citizens centers in Washington County, Md., and Franklin County, Pa.: Maryland Francis Murphy 20014 Rosebank Way, Hagerstown 240-313-9300, ext. 154 Lunch served Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at 11:30 a.m.; and Wednesday at 11 a.m. Bingo - Monday and Friday, 9:30 a.m. Blood pressure screening with Meritus Home Health Care ...

An increasing number of people in their mid-50s to mid-60s are seeking physical therapy, which one therapist says is a sign of a more active and educated group of emerging senior citizens. The influx of clients is taking place, in part, "because we're more active. We expect a higher quality of life, and part of it is education - how much people realize that (therapy) is something they can do to improve their health," said Lorraine O'Neill, owner of O'Neill Physical Therapy Services on Cleveland Avenue in Hagerstown.

Ban Barbie in W.Va.? To the editor: Dear Del. Jeff Aldridge: I am a resident of Martinsburg,W.Va. and I am baffled why you would try to ban Barbies in W.Va.! Have you ever taken a trip to the stores and actually looked at the Barbies? Evidently not, if you haven't seen the idea of what Barbie represents to a girl's future! There are "I can be" Barbies as in "When I grow up. " There are set-ups to be a physician, veterinarian, marine biologist, teacher, ballerina, chef, swim teacher and even president of the United States, just to name a few. If you have any little girls, you must not have taken the time to look at Barbies.

In today's busy world, we often let our bodies get lost in the shuffle. Trying to keep up on daily exercise can be tough when trying to juggle life's many responsibilities. Balancing work, home and civic duties doesn't leave a lot of time for body maintenance. But if you want to live a longer, stronger life, you have to find a way to make exercise an integral part of your lifestyle. That's why it's important to know how to get more done with the time that you have. Here are a few ways to do just that.

By BOB PARASILITI Staff Writer Lee Barron and his family have found strength through strength. Eight years ago, Barron began weightlifting with his three sons to help them stand up to school bullies. Years later, weightlifting has helped the Barrons overcome bullies that hampered a happy life. Barron, along with his parents and sister, has reinforced family values through discipline and the belief in drug free powerlifting - a sport which provides each physical and mental therapy.

Stepping On is a falls prevention program presented by Meritus Health's Community Health Education and Total Rehab Care and the Washington County Health Department. Attendees ages 65 and older can benefit from health providers offering information on balance, medication, footwear, home safety and strength training. The program will be offered from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays, Feb. 17 through March 30, at Girls Inc., 626 Washington Ave., Hagerstown. The program is free. For more information, call Meritus Health's Education Center at 301-790-8907.