Those dealing with stress or interested in improving cardiac health have another alternative – drumming.

On Tuesday and Thursday nights every week, the Foundry Christian Community Center hosts cardio drumming. Shawna Wood, COO and interim director of the Foundry, said the classes were created due to a “need in the community” for stress relief. Wood said along with stress relief, the classes were created after a survey revealed high blood pressure was at the top of a list of health issues in the Foundry’s neighborhood.

“Everybody experiences stress, and what were some healthy ways we could provide for people to deal with that stress,” Wood said. “Physical activity like cardio drumming helps people naturally improve their blood pressure, manage weight and strengthen their heart.”

The Foundry began offering the classes around two years ago, Wood said. She said in that time, the classes have had visitors as young as 3 years old and as old as 83. Wood said the program was once grant-funded, however the grant ran out at the end of last year. Wood said anyone interested in sponsoring classes can call the Foundry.

The drumming classes take place in the Foundry’s gym. Attended largely by women, guests drum on exercise balls with drumsticks, set to popular songs such as “Old Time Rock and Roll” and “Single Ladies.”

Tracy Wafford, an insurance biller with NTT Data, leads the cardio drumming classes “on the side.” Wafford said she got her start in the program in 2021 and has found “a big family” in the program.

“It’s just the people,” Wafford said.

Wafford is not alone. Felicia Love, case manager for the Foundry, said the classes are a “destressor” for her.

“It takes your mind off of life,” Love said. “Just working out, having fun, breathing and losing weight.”

Like Wafford, Love compared the classes to a large family.

“It’s very comfortable,” Love said. “Everybody just kind of loves on each other and welcome new faces.”

On Thursday, the class was visited by staff from the Institute for Rural Health, an organization at Western Kentucky University that seeks to “Advance the health and well-being of rural and under-served populations,” according to its website.

Participants were asked to fill out a survey from the institute after the class was over, describing their workout that night. The institute also recorded participants’ height, weight and blood pressure.

“We’re not just focusing on rural populations but also on underserved populations in town,” said Qingfang Song, co-director of the institute.

Cardio drumming is hosted Tuesday and Thursday nights from 5:30 to 6:30, and is free to the public. On Feb. 10, the Foundry will host a free community event, featuring a free breakfast and family-friendly games along with free blood pressure screenings and information on cardiac health.