In mid-March at the Westbrook Community Center, more than 30 seniors, some wearing bunny ears, crowded into the Davan Pool for a senior aquatics class led by Catherine Wilson.

Wilson, a longtime personal trainer with a history of working with seniors, led the class in various stretching techniques designed to alleviate pain and keep muscles loose. At one point, nearly all the seniors broke out in song in between motions.

“It’s a pretty tight-knit group,” said Greg Post, Westbrook’s deputy director of community services. “They’re very committed.”

Post said the center has heard a lot of positive feedback about the classes. Also offered at the center are Silver Cardio, for people 55 and older, and Gentle Chair Yoga.

Fitness programs for seniors are growing increasingly popular at the community center, and there are signs that trend will continue, especially under the presence of Wilson, who was recently hired as the new recreation coordinator for the city.

Wilson, who was a fitness and aquatics instructor at the Woodlands Club in Falmouth, began as a fill-in instructor in Westbrook but officially begins her new role April 4. She also operates her own personal training business, On Purpose.

The senior aquatics class meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:45-8:45 a.m., and according to Wilson, has a steady following. Many of the attendees go straight from aquatics to the Silver Cardio class for a more intensive workout.

“The most important thing is keeping mobility, and fun,” she said about the class.

She said other focuses are on posture and core strenthening.

“It’s also great for us to see people not just showing up for one program, but regularly throughout the week,” Post added.

Westbrook resident Janice Weed, 79, said she’s been swimming regularly at the Davan Pool for about 30 years. She comes to the class every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

“It’s a good program, and it has picked up,” she said, referring to the attendance. “We have fun. It’s a good group.”

Weed, who was one of a number of women wearing bunny ears, said the festive flair is a common occurance during classes. One of the other women routinely brings in holiday-themed attire for the group.

“I have a whole stash of them now,” she said, laughing.

Post said the senior community thrives at the center. On the first Friday of every month, the center’s Starlite Cafe hosts senior socials, with two sittings of a free meal at 8:30 and 10 a.m. There are also discounted membership rates for the fitness program, where seniors can pay $20 for 12 classes of cardio, and $30 for 16 visits at the pool.

The community also seems to be growing. Post said nearby senior living facilities have recently began busing residents to and from programs at the center. He said the city has been in discussions with the Metro bus service to possibly add a stop there beginning this summer.

Wilson said she hopes to implement new programs soon, including senior walking, which could start this summer. The center will also be adding a chair aerobics class. She said she’s worked with seniors for about 18 years.

On May 25, the community center will host events as part of the 23rd annual National Senior Health & Fitness Day, a national program, for the first time.

Many seniors involved in either class have said the programs help to alleviate soreness or rehabilitate injuries. Post said one regular of the senior aquatics class has had severe back problems, but through some new exercises implemented by Wilson, has seen dramatic improvement.

Rita Smith, 72, regularly attends both the aquatics and aerobics classes. Smith said she had knee replacement surgery two years ago in March, but was already ice skating just a few months later. She gives credit to the classes.

“I figure if I don’t move my body now, when will I?” she said. “When you’re in the water, nothing hurts.”

Erica Gammon, a personal trainer who teaches several fitness classes at the community center, was prepping for the aerobics class, hosted in the center’s gymnasium. She was plugging in large speakers used to pump music in for the class, and says she has the most fun working with seniors.

She said most days there are more than 30 participants, a number that she said has grown since she began leading classes at the center nine months ago.

Gammon said she focuses mostly on balance with seniors, especially during the winter months, when balance can be extra important.

“We do a lot of rythmic stuff, but I constantly change it,” she said, because it keeps participants on their toes.

Dick Paul, 77, has been doing the aerobics class for more than two years. He said he had been in a car accident and had subsequent surgeries, causing him to take breaks from the class, but he said he always comes back to the class. His wife, Carol Hall, also does the Silver Cardio.

“All the muscles work together,” he said. “There are a lot of people here who have had different injuries and they come back.”

As the class was getting started, Smith trotted into the gym with her hair still wet from the aquatics class.

“I’m back for more torture,” she said.