South African Seniors Fitness Association visits Olivedale Library
Elderly residents do have to work a bit harder at staying fit, but it is important to stay positive, says fitness association at demonstration.
Senior residents had fun stretching and strengthening their muscles at a recent event at Olivedale Library.
The Friends of Olivedale Library (Fools) is a group of residents who raise funds for the library.
At one of their speaker’s mornings, they invited the South African Seniors Fitness Association (Sasfa) for a discussion and demonstration.
This was informative as well as practical, and everyone left feeling a little more supple and with a bunch of stretches in mind that will help them going forward.
“When we reach a certain age we become more brittle and the bone density decreases. Our balance and power go a bit and we lose concentration too,” said chairperson and national trainer at the association, Iona Henning.
“Just like gravity, the effect is always there and you cannot stop it. But you can decrease the effect of it. We have to fight a bit harder at our age. But the more you do, the more you can do and want to do.”
She stressed the importance of being positive about this and not accepting defeat, to improve the quality of life in one’s final years.
Henning spoke of her 50 years in the fitness industry, including doing fitness performances in Italy, Israel and Austria, but complained how often the fitness of elderly residents is overlooked.
“I often go to retirement villages and people are sitting there not moving, unhappy, though they are younger than me. Many people have injuries that could have been prevented with stretches.”
Henning showed the group exercises they could use to strengthen their pelvic floors while standing, and arms, legs, cores and necks while sitting.
Even breathing exercises were done to strengthen the lungs.
While simple and easy, these exercises did much for their targeted muscle groups.
Fools chairperson, Bette Kun thanked Henning for the insightful and hands-on event.
Details: South African Seniors Fitness Association iona@seniorfitness.co.za, 083 302 5631; Friends of Olivedale Library 082 567 9739.
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