Strong, social and senior

By James Mullan

Judy was working, busy and had always been an active person. However, as she became older began to experience more physical issues, from niggles to serious injuries, resulting in a total of 15 operations.

At 62, Judy knew this would be a considerable task but harkened back to her earlier years when she swam several times per week and chased after her three children, now grown adults. On thinking about her exercise “I realised while I was working that was the part that was missing.”

Judy joined an area gym but found it didn’t suit her needs. After four pilates sessions, her instructors said her fitness level wasn’t conducive for group classes and she would have to pay a lot more for individual classes if she wanted to stay on. Back to square one Judy then saw a Facebook ad for Community Moves, Judy shot off a one-line email to founder Van Marinos saying, “think I need you.” Within half an hour Van called Judy to invite her in to check the place out. “It absolutely was a turning point for me. I realised then that maybe I can’t do what the other people do, but here is a guy who is so accepting of who you are and what your body is capable of.”

Community Moves is a health and fitness centre in Neutral Bay, that spe- cifically caters to local over 50s and was established by Van Marinos who some may recognise from his time on popular ABC TV show ‘Old Peoples Home for Teenagers.’

Van had been working in the fitness industry and got to a point where he was ready to start his own company. He “wanted to do something that was meaningful, not just to me but to the people who I was working with.” Reflecting on his own parents and their needs, he felt that the demographic had been left out of the sectors. “There is a void in the fitness industry to address the needs of people like Judy.” Van said they didn’t need another F45 style gym with intensive classes and a potentially intimidating atmosphere. He added “I don’t want to talk about the things they can’t do, we talk about the things they can do.” Community Moves aims to meet members where they are, regardless of physical ability.

“Originally it was just about the exercise. But it quickly evolved into the direction that it’s not just about physical, but the social and mental is critical and that now almost drives the business. We’re almost a social club that exercises.” Van highlighted.

Ageing Australians are particularly susceptible to social isolation, which can be harmful to both mental and physical health according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Judy said

“Suddenly you're finding you're not just doing a half an hour gym class together, you’re doing coffee afterwards, then maybe a dinner out later that week and yes, I can do movies on Tuesday night.” She found that she didn’t miss work at all and had instead found that satisfaction both socially and physically at Community Moves.

Back to the physical workouts, they have a specifically designed programs that tailored to their older member-

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ship “We focus on strength and stability because these are the areas particularly with older adults that tend to be left behind.” Van said. This is designed more to help with everyday activities like carrying kids or walking up stairs, rather than aesthetic or athletic purposes. Classes can incorporate Zumba, mindfulness, pilates and many more different activities that cater to the individual's physical abilities.

The gym now has 170 members and continues to grow. In fact, Van is opening up a second site this year in the Northern Beaches.