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Longtime aerobics instructor retires

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For 17 years, Mary Kay Lange taught aerobics classes, including pilates, step aerobics and sculpting, in Prairie du Chien. She led classes at Hoffman Hall most recently. She intends to continue attending classes at her leisure.

By Correne Martin

After 17 and a half years of teaching aerobics classes in Prairie du Chien, Mary Kay Lange is ready for something new. She fully intends to continue attending classes, but she retired May 24 from leading participants.

“I just knew I needed a change,” Lange said. “I will miss the socializing, but I won’t miss trying to find something new for everybody to try.”

Mary Kay moved to Prairie du Chien in 1987. She began attending aerobics classes, taught by Judy Sagedahl, at Blackhawk Junction as a way to simply meet members of the community.

“I met some wonderful people with similar interests,” she noted.

The classes moved to Hoffman Hall a few years later and Sagedahl left, so Lange decided to take over. She started watching exercise videos and TV shows, done by Denise Austin and others, and wrote down ideas from those to use in her classes. She also gleaned workout tips from fitness magazines.

“I started out three mornings with step aerobics. Then I took over sculpting on Tuesday nights, which I later converted to pilates,” Lange explained. “Most recently, I was doing pilates on Mondays at 5:30 a.m. and Tuesdays at 4:30 p.m. Besides seeing the physical benefits and socializing—I really got to know those ladies who committed to my time frame—knowing I was helping other people reach their goals felt pretty good.

“Over 17 years, we’ve all become kind of like a family. We talked a lot about life, kids, cooking and what was going on in the community.”

After her last class May 24, she and the participants spent some time together reminiscing.

Though she still plans to attend classes and generally be active, Lange said she’s going to “pick and choose” more often what she wants to do. She loves to cycle, walk outdoors or on her treadmill, hike and engage in other outdoor activities. She may show up as a substitute instructor from time to time.

Of course, she will undoubtedly sustain her support for Hoffman Hall too.

“There are lots of opportunities there year-round,” she stated. “Whether it’s pilates, step, sculpt, water aerobics, yoga, Zumba or even kayaking or otherwise. You can always learn new skills and there are modifications out there for every age and level of experience. I would encourage anybody to try a first class of something they’re interested in. You can try it for free and see if you like it.”

When she’s not on the go somewhere, Lange will still be found at the front desk of the Riverside Square Edward Jones office. She’s worked there since 2003.

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