The program, BASE Senior Fitness, offers seniors a way to build balance, agility, strength and endurance through a free group class that meets twice each week. The addition at Crossroads Mall would be Fort Dodge’s second class, along with the one that currently meets in Wahkonsa Apartments.

The program currently has other regular meetings in 17 locations throughout Webster and Hamilton County, featuring an exercise routine designed specifically for seniors by a certified personal trainer and overseen by a physical therapist for safety and effectiveness.

Since BASE was started in Hamilton County five years ago, it has ammassed 530 participants age 55 and older. Exercises in each 50-minute session focus on balance but include warm-up, cardio, strengthening and cool-downs that affect all major muscle groups through low-impact routines.

But the new class at the mall can’t take off until volunteers willing to be trained as leaders step up, according to Becky Koppen, RSVP volunteer coordinator.

“We’re looking for leaders for this class,” Koppen said, hoping to build on the program she started from scratch six years ago.

After being approached persistently by the director of a nursing home about an exercise program for seniors, Koppin found inspiration in a program from Vermont. She adapted the program with a much less expensive approach that could be implemented more easily using local resources.

In the last six years, the program went from 5 to 17 locations, with the most well-attended one currently in Duncombe.

But without volunteers, the program with a limited budget will not be able to grow any further in Fort Dodge.

Those interested in being trained as a leader can contact Becky Koppen at 515-832-2525.