The power of group fitness for older adults
I simply have the best job in the world – I take rehab and older adult fitness classes and the visible progress and enjoyment of participants makes me smile every day.
Wellbeing is essential at any age but I think more so as we get older and our bodies aren’t quite as strong or as nimble as they once were and maybe a little loneliness is creeping in. Being physically active is essential for improved health in later years but being active with other people more so – we are social beings at the end of the day and getting along to a group fitness class can be so much more fun.
Coming to older adult fitness classes is a great way to improve your physical, mental and social wellbeing all in one go!
Strength, balance and friendship
I particularly love delivering the Otago sessions, which are all about strength and balance. We have participants coming through the door in walking frames or with walking sticks and just to see a little improvement in their balance and strength every week is great.
We also have a fantastic group of people coming to Inverness Leisure for TOFFS – that’s the Over 50’s Fitness Sessions. Many people who come to these classes start out as strangers but quickly become friends – then it’s coffees afterwards at the Inverness Botanic Gardens & Café! Every year we have a TOFFS Christmas lunch with over 120 people coming along – the camaraderie and sense of community is wonderful.
Music, movement and memories
One of the particularly important elements of all of these classes is the music! I always choose music that suits my class participants. Music that evokes memories of their younger years. You can see them all singing and smiling while we move to the music – then they are all chatting about going to dances and discos and there is much laughter.
For me, being a fitness class instructor really enhances my own wellbeing. It keeps me fit and it’s all very sociable as you can see. So it’s not just good for the wellbeing of the class participants but me too – so everyone wins!
I’ll keep doing this as long as I can, it gives me great pleasure to play a small role in Helping Make Life Better.
Find out more
If you would like to find out more about how High Life Highland’s Leisure Service can help you improve your health and wellbeing, contact your local leisure centre.
