Are you one of those people who get up in the morning, walk to kitchens to make coffee and breakfast, return to favorite chairs and sit there for the rest of the day watching television? Of course, there are some bathroom breaks and visits to the refrigerator, but then it is time for bed, and the process starts all over again.

If so, you are in bad shape, my friend.

I have just returned from a new fitness club in Ventura called Club 50. It is specifically designed for us, the over-50 gang, and there are many of us. I can commiserate with many of you. I have never enjoyed exercise very much. Nevertheless, I realize its value and encourage everyone to do something to keep his or her body and mind flexible and active.

There is so much in medical literature that encourages people to use their bodies every day.

I went with some trepidation to visit Club 50, but I found it to be a delightful experience. Hank and Elaine Aldrete, the owners, are two people who believe in helping their fellow seniors. The club is situated in a shopping plaza close to the freeway. Men and women can attend, and after signing on they can get one-on-one nutritional guidance for a period of 12 weeks. The initiation fee of $199 includes use of the hydraulic resistance equipment and a welcome basket worth $125. Monthly fees are $39.

The Aldretes are there to help you with the exercises. If you are someone who works hard and progresses, the equipment can be adjusted to meet your level of progress. There is a $50 discount off the membership fee for the month of June.

What I particularly liked about the club was the dedication to members. The Aldretes are eager to help members achieve their goals whether they are to lose weight, increase flexibility or feel more energized. It is just like having a personal trainer without the high cost.

Now, doesn't that sound much better than sitting in your favorite armchair, barely able to get out of it because you are so stiff? I think it is worth a try.

Now that we have talked about our bodies, let's talk about our minds. Do you remember I mentioned some weeks ago a study from Massachusetts General Hospital of the use of Neurobics in the hospital's Neurology Department? Well, I just heard that there is a class in Neurobics being held in the Wilson Senior Center on Friday afternoons from 1 to 2 p.m. It is being taught by Dr. Donald Thibeault and promises to be a good workout for our brains.

I think I need this badly. See you there.

As I have mentioned before, I get many e-mails from readers. I heard from a gentleman today who was inquiring about cooperative housing. This is a house shared by a number of people. They share the payments, and each contributes some kind of skill, whether it is cooking or gardening, etc.

I think it is a marvelous idea, and when I was studying gerontology at UCLA, it was an idea that was heavily promoted in the Los Angeles area. I heard of many success stories. If you know of a similar idea or project under way in Ventura County, please let me know.

A new study in the Archives of Internal Medicine reports that Swedish massage can be an effective tool against osteoarthritis. A study of 68 adults with knee osteoarthritis found that those who received four weeks of twice-a-week Swedish massage, followed by four weeks of once-a-week massage, had less pain and better function than those people who had no massage.

Oh, that massage sounds so good to me!

Margaret Nesbitt is a columnist for The Star. She can be reached by e-mail at undeg@veriizon.net.