KEEP FIT GROUP
EXERCISE CLASSES - WHAT TO EXPECT
Ideally we should be physically active every day and one of the best ways of keeping physically active is to walk. Walking is a very underrated form of exercise and has numerous health benefits. (See leaflets about 6K Daily Steps Challenge and Benefits of Walking available at my classes.)
As we get older we slow down and our bones and muscles lose mass. However, infirmity and disability are not inevitable in old age and we can slow the degenerative process of ageing by regular exercise.
I like to concentrate on ‘functional fitness’, that is, exercises that enable us to perform our day-to-day activities into old age. For example, exercise to strengthen the thighs so we can continue to get out of a chair or use the stairs. You get the idea.
It’s not all strength and cardio, though. I also do exercises that improve balance, flexibility and core strength.
The classes last roughly an hour and will take the following format:
- Gentle warm up to get muscles and joints ready to exercise.
- A circuit of different exercise that concentrate on balance, strength, co-ordination and so on.
- After the circuit we come together as a class to do exercises with an exercise band and look at technique.
- Finally there is cool down and stretching.
You’ll find I talk about technique a lot. Bad technique in an exercise can make the exercise ineffective and can lead to injury.
The classes are designed so you can do them at your own pace. If you’re very fit I’ll make sure you are challenged. If you are unused to exercise I’ll be gentle with you. There will always be a chair nearby so you can sit if you need to (most exercises can be performed seated).
When we do exercises to improve balance there will also be a chair available so you can stabilise yourself.
Although I want you to take the exercises seriously and do them to the best of your ability, above all I want the classes to be enjoyable and, if there’s something you really don’t like, please tell me.
_____
For further information on any group, please contact the Groups Co-ordinator and, for information regarding membership, please contact the Membership Secretary, by clicking on the CONTACT button at the top of the page and selecting the relevant person.