WAITSBURG-Mature exercisers (those 60 years and older) will have fun improving strength and balance at EnhanceFitness classes offered at Waitsburg Town Hall. The one-hour classes are led by EnhanceFitness instructor Melissa Lambert, MS( Masters of Science in Kinesiology) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:00 a.m. or 10:15 a.m.

There is no cost to attend the evidence-based group exercise and fall prevention program. The program empowers adults at all fitness levels to sustain independent lives, each participant exercises at their own pace.

Lambert introduced the EnhanceFitness classes in Waitsburg in 2019 which were well attended before the program was suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions in March 2020. Since the fitness class was highly attended, a ZOOM program was instituted. EnhanceFitness instructors had to apply to Project Enhance to offer ZOOM classes. Melissa was granted the right to offer classes via ZOOM in February 2021.

Lambert started her business, P.E.A.K Northwest (Perform Exercise AcquirKnowledge) in 2017. Melissa works to provide her clients and the community opportunities to learn how to perform and maintain exercise and make healthy lifestyle changes in a fun and positive environment. She works independently and in partnership with private organizations, and state and local agencies to offer community members evidence-based health, well-being, and fitness programs. Enhance Fitness is one of the programs P.E.A.K. Northwest currently provides to Waitsburg.

The Washington State Department of Health recently recognized Lambert in their "Outstanding Fall Prevention Award Program." Southeast Washington-Aging & Long-Term Care (SEWA ALTC) nominated her as an Enhance Fitness instructor for her outstanding work, effort, and service to her community.

Lambert has been a certified trainer for 13 years, working with the community, sports programs, and kids. Before being certified in EnhanceFitness, she worked with individuals with chronic diseases or conditions. As a nationally Board-Certified Health and Well-Being Coach (NBC-HWC), she has the expertise to help individuals recover by developing fitness/exercise programs to improve their cardio/vascular functions, body composition, and flexibility. She is also a National Strength and Conditioning Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) and an American College of Sports Medicine Clinical Exercise Physiologist; Exercise is Medicine Level 3 distinguished. (ACSM-CEP, EIM3)

Contact Melissa Lambert, M.S., board-certified health and wellness coach, certified clinical exercise physiologist and personal trainer, exercise is medicine level 3, by calling at 509-540-2940 or emailing EF@peaknorthwest.com.