We often think about healthy habits in the context of New Year’s resolutions, setting our kids on the right track or changing our daily routines to encompass more holistic lifestyle choices. However, committing to and maintaining lifelong fitness is crucial for remaining healthy, active and alert throughout all stages of life.
While it may seem like your golden years are a time to slow down – and they are, to a certain extent – staying active can have resounding long-term impacts on both physical and mental health.
This commitment to improving quality of life is one of the key motivators for Fitness World Canada’s first-ever long-term community partnership with Retirement Concepts Senior Living facilities across Vancouver through a program that provides free fitness classes and physical activity guidance to community residents while advocating for the extensive benefits of lifelong fitness.
Motivation, movement and mobility
The initial four-week pilot program kicked off on April 8 of this year as the first partnership of Fitness World’s Active Community Initiative, delivering an assortment of seated exercise classes to the senior residents of Rosemary Heights Seniors Village in Surrey, ranging from stretching to light aerobics.
The pilot program proved to be a resounding success, resulting in the fitness club bringing these same free fitness classes to residents year-round across four Metro Vancouver Retirement Concepts facilities in Surrey, Langley, White Rock and Maple Ridge starting in October. This long-term program will offer diverse fitness classes for seniors in these communities led by experienced Fitness World trainers to promote long-term healthy fitness habits.
The classes run for 30 minutes and comprise mostly of low-impact, seated movements such as stretching and mobility exercises while catering to the unique needs of participants and offering modifications for residents with varying mobility levels.
On top of the obvious physical benefits, Fitness World’s objectives for this program extend further by providing opportunities for seniors to socialize and exercise together in these care homes while also creating comfortable spaces in its clubs that cater to diverse ages and experience levels.
“I think they're great,” says David Dickey, a resident at Rosemary Heights Seniors Village. “I can feel the difference in my legs and arms afterward.”
Improving access
While these classes are an excellent way for seniors to remain active and engaged, they also represent the crucial importance of lifelong fitness.
With 17 gyms across Vancouver, Victoria and the Lower Mainland, Fitness World facilities offer group classes for all experience levels and ages, including seniors; state-of-the-art recovery equipment; and personal trainers focused on providing tailored programs for their members.
This dedication to individualized fitness ensures that its clubs are the best place for seniors to receive assistance and guidance in meeting their health goals.
“This long-term partnership with Retirement Concepts helps bridge gaps in our community for those who are at the stage in their life where a gym is less feasible,” shares Chris Smith, president and CEO of Fitness World. “We hope that we can use these classes to further educate our local community on the importance of engaging in healthy routines from early ages.”
Jaylene Smillie, manager of therapeutic recreation and volunteers at Rosemary Heights Seniors Village, praises the classes as being beneficial for both residents and staff at her facility.
“Our fitness classes are quite well attended,” she says. “Partnering with Fitness World has provided some variety and diversity in these classes, allowed residents to connect with a certified personal trainer and offered new ideas for the Therapeutic Recreation team to add to their repertoire.”
Whether you’re seeking advice on how to step things up or don’t know where to start, there’s never a wrong time to start your fitness routine and reap the long-term benefits of keeping active.
Are you ready to take your lifelong fitness journey to the next level? Take charge of your health journey now for a better quality of life later with help and guidance from Fitness World.
Register and get started today by visiting fitnessworld.ca.
