National Senior Fitness Month at the Grand

All older adults—both men and women— can benefit from regular, moderate physical activity. This is true even for people with medical conditions such as arthritis, heart disease, obesity, and high blood pressure, issues that can be mitigated through exercise.

Allison Adams Fitness Director

The month of May at the Grand will see the celebration of National Physical Fitness and Sports Month and National Senior Health and Fitness Day on the 31st. To celebrate, we have chosen a select number of classes to be offered on certain dates, for $1, during the month of May. This temporary schedule will be communicated via email blasts for Fitness subscribers and posted at the Fitness centers. In addition, we are asking you to share with the community your Health, Wellness and Fitness success stories. Your story may inspire and encourage someone else to pursue their own health and fitness journey. Please email Fitness Director, Allison Adams, at grandfitness@livegrandaz.com or Allison.Adams@livegrandaz.com, if you have a fitness/health/wellness success story you’d like to share, up to 400 words. Let us know if it is okay for us to use your name. We’ll be selecting several of these stories to share with our community via email communication and flyers in the fitness centers.

We are hoping that Grand residents will take this opportunity to participate in the many fitness, strength-training, flexibility, balance, and coordination programs and workshops on offer. Whether you have participated in the past, or want to jumpstart your fitness and progress to a higher level, we encourage you to register or attend our programs.

As we age, it's totally normal to lose some of the stamina and agility we enjoyed in our younger years. But getting older doesn't mean settling into complacency or acceptance.

It's a fact that regular activity will positively impact our physical health as well as our mental and emotional wellbeing. It will provide give us with more energy and greater self-confidence, enabling us to embrace our later years with renewed vigor.

Some of the key benefits of exercise for older adults include: n Prevents Bone Loss: Both men and women lose bone density as they age, with post-menopausal women losing up to 2% each year. Strength training counteracts this loss and actually restores bone density. Stronger bones lead to fewer fractures and also aid in balance. By reducing the risk of falls and injuries, exercise can help seniors live independently for longer. n Relieves Osteoarthritis Pain: Movement can actually lessen the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Arthritis-friendly exercise includes low-impact cardiovascular activity, strength training, and range-of-motion exercises. By strengthening the muscles surrounding our joints and stimulating the fascial lines that coordinate muscular dynamics, we can reduce joint inflammation and aid in synovial lubrication, reducing pain and stiffness. n Helps Prevent Chronic Disease: Exercise provides a prophylactic effect against a host of chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, diabetes, obesity, and hypertension. If you already have a chronic condition, physical activity can minimize symptoms. It can even help reduce cognitive decline, as exercise floods the body and the brain with oxygen, resulting in fewer Alzheimer's disease bio-markers even with just 30 minutes of exercise daily. n Boosts Immunity: Moderate exercise correlates with a lower incidence of acute respiratory illness and a reduced risk of illness. While the precise modality of exercise-supported immunity is not known, many scientists believe that the anti-inflammatory effects of physical activity enable better immune function. Exercise will also improve immune cell performance. n Improves Mood and Enables Mindset: Simply put, exercise makes us feel good. It eases anxiety and depression symptoms, increases relaxation, and creates an overall sense of wellbeing. The mood-boosting benefits of exercise can continue well into old age, underscoring why it is so vital to stay active. n Yoga: Yoga is a low-impact activity that won't strain your joints. At the same time, it helps you build up your muscles, stabilize your core, improve your flexibility, and strengthen your bones. We offer a broad spectrum of classes, from introductory to advanced. We even offer yoga programs that include seated and standing options. n Pilates: Like yoga, Pilates offers an effective workout while being gentle on joints. It focuses on building a strong core in order to improve balance and stability and has been shown to reduce the symptoms of arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinson's disease. Many of the exercises are performed in sitting or reclining positions. Pilates is a smart option to go if you haven't exercised in a long time. n Aerobic exercise: Adding endurance component to your day can help boost cardiovascular function, strengthen lungs and airways, and improve everyday stamina. Walking, swimming, and using the stationary bike are all good choices for older adults. Thirty minutes a day is the recommended amount, which you can start by doing three 10-minute sessions spread out over the day. n Strength training: Our gyms at the Grand offer state-of-the-art equipment.

Ideally, workout routines for older adults should incorporate an holistic blend of aerobic exercise, strength/resistance training, and stretching/flexibility/ coordination exercises. Below are some great workout options that you can tap into at the Grand. All of our instructors and trainers are highly professional and are well-versed in working with seniors to improve mobility, build strength, and enhance balance and coordination.

We can also supplement strength training with precise sports-specific routines to assist in golf, softball, pickleball., and tennis. There are also simple, low-impact body weight training exercises you can do on your own to help reverse muscle loss and burn body fat. Aim for two to three workouts weekly to reap the most benefits.

Most adults over the age of 65 can exercise safely, even those with chronic conditions and mobility challenges. Before starting any exercise regimen, it’s important to talk with your doctor to learn which options are right for your health and activity level. You are encouraged to share these options with your trainer or instructor to better fine-tune your workouts.

Get ready to experience the proven and immense benefits of exercise firsthand by celebrating National Senior Fitness Month with us at the Grand!

Charles Crevequer

Grand Personal Trainer and EXOS Sports Performance Specialist

623-337-3558 triXcellence@protonmail.com

We are looking for SCG men and women volunteers to help with Vacation Watch and Evening Patrol. We will supply vehicles and training. Call (CAM) 623-546-7432 or the C.H.A.P.S. office 623-546-7553 and leave a message if you are interested in joining us! You may also find more information about C.H.A.P.S. (including an application form to join) at suncitygrand.com – Volunteer Central – C.H.A.P.S. Resident Patrol