By Frank Warnock
NKyTribune Citizen Reporter
After Bellevue Mayor Charlie Cleves’ father recently moved into a retirement community, The Barrington in Fort Thomas, at the same time that his mother was residing at Care Springs in Cold Springs, he realized there was a problem.
Neither of his 90-year-old parents – as well as many other seniors who are confined to their rooms in congregate care facilities – were getting any exercise during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I saw a problem and I asked fitness instructor Michelle Reynolds Madden if she would be interested in helping,” said Mayor Cleves.
Madden, who owns the Energi Total Wellness Studio in Bellevue, was more than ready to help.
Michelle Reynolds Madden
“I was excited to be asked to be a part of this project, having been a nurse in an adult daycare center, where I had previously taught an exercise program,” Madden said.
Madden is a native of Bellevue, the daughter Mike and Mary Reynolds and the widow of Russell Madden, who was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan in 2010. Her total wellness studio is located at 334 Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue, where she offers yoga, pilates, and cardio and strength training classes.
After reaching out to Madden, Mayor Cleves contacted Jennifer Teipel, executive director of the Campbell County Cable Board, who saw great value in this type of exercise program for those who cannot leave their homes.
Within two days, Madden had designed an exercise program specifically for seniors and was in the studio filming the first two episodes.
In the videos, Madden does a seated version of the exercises while her boyfriend, John E. Christopher, an attorney with Cincinnati law firm Manley Burke, LPA, does a standing version to accommodate the physical abilities of the various levels of seniors that could be watching.
The exercise videos air every weekday at 8 a.m. and at 9:30 a.m. on weekends. Seniors can tune in channel 810 on Cincinnati Bell and channel 202 on Spectrum to watch the videos.
The videos also can be viewed on Campbell County Media here.
“We are trying to do what we can to help Bellevue residents and business during this unprecedented time,” said Mayor Cleves. “Please do what you can, too. Support Michelle and all of the local Bellevue businesses during this difficult time for local businesses.”
Energi is a total wellness studio based in the historic Bellevue Business District whose philosophy is “the practice of thoughtful and functional fitness that promotes physical, social and mental well-being or what we like to call, Energi.” To contact Energi, call 859-512-2518 or email energistudio.michelle@gmail.com
The City of Bellevue is celebrating its 150th anniversary as a city this year. Founded by Gen. James Taylor and once was part of his large plantation in Campbell County, Taylor named the area “Bellevue,” which translated from French means “beautiful view.” The charming river city has a bustling business district along Fairfield Avenue, historic homes and buildings near the river and on the hills above it, and new luxurious residential housing, restaurants, and commercial and office space along the Ohio River.
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