Moving with Milly Interview – A Weekly Exercise Class For Everyone

AARP Pennsylvania Lehigh Valley volunteer Milly Laible was disappointed when her local YMCA shut down at the start of the pandemic, but that did not stop her from exercising – she just created her exercise class – Moving with Milly! Milly worked with physical therapists to develop a program that could be done primarily in a chair, focusing on balance and strength. The class started as a way to share her love of exercise with fellow AARP volunteers, but due to its popularity, it was expanded to include the public.

“It’s a good opportunity to work out for about 30 to 40 minutes. We have a lot of fun with our members," says Milly, "and you can do it from the comfort of your own home.”

The program is offered every Monday morning at 11 a.m. ET and hosts roughly 250 people from across the country.

While Milly is the talent that leads the class in front of the camera, she could not have accomplished this weekly class without the help of her husband, Ron. “He follows me around with the camera, showing me some cue cards, and he’s like my right-hand man,” says Milly.

Helping Milly with the class is just as rewarding for Ron. “When we joined AARP as volunteers, we wanted to do things together, so this was the perfect opportunity," says Ron. "She’s in front of the camera, I’m behind the camera, and it’s been working out well.” At the start of every class, Ron shares an AARP video highlighting an exercise or health tip and sends participants to more AARP resources at www.aarp.org/healthy.

Ron and Milly’s six years of volunteerism with AARP and success with their Moving with Milly exercise class was recognized with the 2021 AARP Pennsylvania Andrus Award for Community Service. The Andrus Award is AARP’s most prestigious and visible state volunteer award.

To register for weekly Moving with Milly classes click here.