“Exercise is crucial to the health and well-being of seniors,” said Kimberly Halladay, a fitness instructor at Wesley Enhanced Living Main Line. “Despite the limitations that inevitably come with the aging process, exercise can really improve quality of life. Gentle range-of-motion exercises increase joint flexibility. Weight training improves muscle and joint strength and promotes bone growth. Cardiovascular workouts improves heart and lung health and boosts production of feel-good endorphins.”
Let the New Year usher in a new you. There is no better time to start a new, active lifestyle than now. Halladay recommends, “Start slow and stay consistent. Ask questions and try different activities. Exercise has so many physical and emotional health benefits. Moving the body actively engages your brain, too.”
Don’t feel like going it alone? There is always the option to get involved in group fitness classes; “The social aspect of attending classes with a friend is so important, especially for seniors,” said Halladay. “They keep each other accountable. We have seen many friendships form among Wesley Enhanced Living Main Line residents who meet each other at classes, in the pool or our strength training room. It’s nice to see folks who may otherwise be alone come out and accomplish things together with other members of our community. They come to class early and stay late just to chat, catch up and connect.”
Wesley Enhanced Living Main Line offers a wide variety of group classes that make working out fun:
- Seated stretch and strengthening classes in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation
- Balance and line dancing
- Cardio flex and press that includes easy aerobics with strength and balance components
- Seated yoga
- Seated Tai Chi and meditation
- Aqua Zumba
- Aqua ballet
- Aqua exercises in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation
- One-on-one training