Handy tips on healthy ageing will be offered this month at free fitness consultations across NSW marking Seniors Festival.
YMCA NSW is embracing this year’s theme ‘Let’s Do More Together’ and will stage consultations, free health checks and a week of free participation with access to select services from 4 to 18 April.
Falls are the number one injury among persons aged 65 years and over and account for 40 per cent of injury-related deaths in this age-group. Regular exercise can help prevent falls and related injuries by improving balance, muscle strength and flexibility.
Alisa Wells, YMCA NSW Health and Fitness Manager, says Seniors Festival is a great way for people to learn about the benefits of exercise for healthy ageing.
“Structured physical activity and balance training have been found to reduce risk and rates of serious fall-related injuries by up to 43 percent and breaks caused by falls by up to 61 per cent,” Ms Wells says.
“As well as falls prevention, the other benefits of exercise include faster recovery times from illness, improved reaction times, coordination and strength. It also helps to improve quality of life and increase life expectancy.
“The consultations are a great way for seniors to assess their current strength, BMI and heart rate, and learn helpful tips and exercises to help with falls prevention.
“Seniors will be able to test their blood pressure, sugar levels and hearing at participating YMCA NSW centres for free.
YMCA NSW’s Seniors Festival offers non-members free access to their NSW centres and their programs and activities for the week.
PrYme Movers classes are offered at 15 YMCA-run centres across NSW and the ACT each week, which focus on improving the strength, co-ordination, fitness and balance of participants.
“PrYme Movers classes aim to remove the barriers to exercise participation and provide great social networking opportunities,” Ms Wells says.
“The active seniors programs include a range of both land and water-based activities and are based on progressive resistance training. They also incorporate aerobic exercise which helps improve cognitive function.”
YMCA NSW centres will also be running a variety of free activities from resistance band workshops to Treadmill Bingo right through to 70’s themed aerobic classes.
“There will be plenty of opportunities to have fun at the YMCA this Seniors Festival. Learn new skills and build friendships at our morning teas or group walks or even try out a Tai Chi class,” Ms Wells says.
For event times and activities at YMCA NSW during the Seniors Festival events please contact your local centre or visit www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au/events/find-an-event
Media: E skaie.hull@ymcansw.org.au
About the YMCA: YMCA NSW is a community not-for-profit organisation committed to healthy living, empowerment and positive social impact. We believe in the power of inspired young people to effect positive change in the world. We support this by offering a range of programs and services at more than 100 locations across NSW and the ACT. YMCA NSW is recognised as a Safeguarding Children accredited organisation by the Australian Childhood Foundation. To find out more, visit www.ymcansw.org.au
