Gym opens for the elderly
Who says you are too old to gym? A new gym for the elderly residents of the Friendship Haven Home for the Aged has opened. Details here ...
A new gym for the elderly residents of the Friendship Haven Home for the Aged was opened on Monday, 27 August, to help residents at the facility regain their physical strength.
Die Jim, also known as the wellness centre, was named after the founder of Friendship Haven, Jimmy Kitching.
It holds 12 pieces of gym equipment and will accommodate 15 members per session.
Maryke Bezuidhout, senior social worker at the home, applauded the Gauteng Department of Social Development for providing the equipment, and said the facility will help members to improve their physical wellness, instead of just focusing on the mental aspect of their health.
“We are starting small, but we are really excited about this new adventure,” Maryke said.
She said the facility will be in full operation from Saturday 1 September, with 20 residents already having registered.
“We have sitting bicycles and standing bicycles, so that you can explore different modes of cycling exercises,” Maryke explained.
However, she also warned that since the gym’s members are old, there will be strict restrictions on membership registrations.
She said there will be a training expert who will be guiding them on how to use the equipment, and monitor their sessions.
“This is because we need to take care of those using the gym and need to think of their safety,” Maryke added.
Amanda van Niekerk, COO of the Friendship Haven, said the gym was opened in a small, formerly unused space.
During the month of preparing the space and giving it a face-lift, residents could not contain their excitement.
“We are not even open yet, but we already have 20 gym members,” Amanda added.
She added that, in future, Die Jim may be opened to the general public, to help raise funds for the home.
Do you perhaps have more information pertaining to this story? Email us at randfonteinherald@caxton.co.za (please remember to include your contact details in the email) or phone us on 011 693 3671.
For free daily local news on the West Rand, also visit our sister newspaper websites
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages to let your voice be heard!
