The Strong Women Community Program will again be offered in the new year in Vernon County starting Jan.  13 and continue through April 2.  Classes will be held in Viroqua and Westby depending on registration numbers.

The session will be a 12-week program held twice a week. In Viroqua, the class will be at 8:45 a.m., and Westby at 9:45 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Pre-registration is required.

The Strong Women Community program, based on Tufts University research is a strength-training program for mid-life to older women aimed at improving muscle strength, balance, and bone density. The program was developed by Miriam Nelson, Ph.D., associate professor at the Friedman School of Nutrition science at Tufts University, Boston, and is based upon years of research on how strength training and proper nutrition improves the health of women of all ages. This research and strength training exercises are outlined in Dr. Nelson’s books “Strong Women Stay Young” and “Strong Women, Strong Bones.”

Jane Schmidt, Fitness Choices, and Karen Ehle-Traastad, UW-Extension, will be the instructors and coordinators of the class. Cost for the class is $54.  Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call the University of Wisconsin-Extension office at 637-5276.

An informational presentation will be given on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the Erlandson Building, Viroqua, 1:30 p.m.   Exercises will be demonstrated, participant health and physical activity readiness will be discussed, as well as details of the program.

For more information or questions, call 637-5276.