Sweat Shop Fitness instructor Jerry Vance, 85, who has been leading aerobics classes for seniors for 53 years, is retiring Dec. 1.
Photo by Jessica Garcia.
In the Comstock Room of the Carson City Community Center, instructor Jerry Vance presses play on a cassette player. Songs, now considered oldies but goodies, start playing and a group of seniors start stepping in time for their routines.
Most don’t even have to think about what to do. They enjoy the fun, fellowship and getting fit.
Vance’s Sweat Shop Fitness classes have been a staple at the center. She’s helped older adults gain a boost in confidence in their health and social time in a safe place almost every weekday.
Now, at 85 and after 53 years of leading students, Vance is retiring Dec. 1.
“She does the same thing to the same music all the time,” Marta Garcia said. “We had to kind of memorize them. But yeah, I think that's why her class has been such a draw because people can do what's right for them.”
She’s enjoyed Vance’s willingness to adapt to anyone’s level in her instruction in yoga, aerobics and Pilates. Everyone stretches, improves upon their breathing and strength and motor skills through her leadership.
One of her proudest achievements was local resident Florence Phillips who once needed a walker. Thanks to Vance, she improved to a cane and progressed to walking and lowered her diabetes.
The instruction impacted Garcia’s own life experience.
“I’ve been through two pregnancies with her and I think three surgeries,” she said. “She started me on my fitness journey, but back then I was not into any kind of fitness. She taught me so much about proper technique and then she kind of end up gone onto to now kind of become a gym rat, too.”
There’s no pressure for anyone to develop. It’s meant to be fun and empowering, and Garcia said most students will develop their own “factions” as they find common interests outside the Sweat Shop to complete puzzles, discuss favorite books or go hiking.
“They're all accepted in here, whether they're coordinated, whether they're not,” Vance said.
Vance reinforces commitment and starting wherever students might be when they enter.
“I had a lady in here when I first started in this class in this room here — we're worn out three classrooms — and she had one leg, and she hopped right along with everybody else with her one leg. So, there's no restrictions,” she said. “It's whatever your body turns out to be. You use it.
“She’s an inspiration to all of us,” Garcia said. “I’m like, if she can do it, then I don’t have an excuse.”
Don Hataway of Carson City, only two months older than Vance, has taken her classes since the 1980s.
“When I retired in 2022, I basically went every day, six days a week to her class, except for being out of town or whatever,” he said. “I’ve taught for her in terms of when she’s been on vacation. There’s probably not another type of class like hers, and there were quite a few.”
Hataway called Vance’s Sweat Shop unique. Although there is some routine, he said he liked the variety in working on legs or abs from day to day, and it helps to keep his pulse up and in a healthy regimen, he said.
“Pure aerobics is not taught, at least the way she does,” he said. “It’s a state of mind. People get used to doing certain things certain ways.
“I have just enjoyed her classes, and I wish her much success in her retirement and hate to see her go.”
A celebration for Vance will be held from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Feisty Goat Pub at 1881 E. Long St. in Carson City. A barbecue will be provided and guests are asked to bring a favorite side dish. Donations will be welcome.