Weight off shoulders
GYM work is increasingly being touted as a cure to age- related illnesses and Townsville residents are jumping behind the trend.
The Senior Sneakers classes at Hyde Park gym The Health Studio are so popular they are being held 11 times a week.
Owner Mahn Cooke said the circuit- based classes, which incorporate treadmill work, upper and lower body weights, cardio, rowing and balance exercises, help with a range of health issues.
Participants move between sta- tions every 90 seconds to two minutes but adjustments can be made to cater for injuries or health conditions.
“The benefits of the classes include improvements in strength and bone density, cardiovascular health, general mobility and balance – all things which deteriorate with age,” Mr Cooke said.
“The average age would be early 70s, but we do have quite a spread. We have people as young as 60 through to early 80s.”
Some participants find out about the classes through word of mouth, others are referred by their GPs.
The reasons for attending are wide- ranging. Rasmussen woman Lesley George joined the classes two years ago to address her type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis.
“With the weights, you notice you can do more,” Ms George said.
“You know your limit. If you push yourself you can get better. Weights are good for the osteoporosis and the bones,” she said.
“I’ve got more energy. You don’t think you have until you do something and you think ‘ Oh, I can do that’.”
Ms George has tried other gyms in the past but like the social aspect of a seniors- only class.
“This is better because we’re all seniors. We enjoy it, have a bit of fun. A lot of us go for coffee afterwards. You look forward to it,” she said.
Hermit Park man John Mundlle has lost about 9kg since he joined the class four years ago.
“I was getting a bit heavy and I was on the cusp of being diabetic. Mainly due to enthusiasm for food and drink,” he said.
When Mr Mundlle went for his last annual check- up, he showed up as not pre- diabetic for the first time in years.
“I think I would be able to say that’s because I’ve been coming here,” he said.
“I just feel better. But apart from that, you’re more confident that you are capable of doing things. You don’t feel as though you’re going downhill all the time.”
Mount Louisa woman Margaret Wilkinson decided to join the classes when she moved from Clontarf to Townsville.
“I came up here to live with my nieces. Not knowing a lot of people – and I think I needed some exercise because I was having trouble with my shoulder – ( I wanted to) meet people more or less in my age group,” she said.
Ms Wilkinson has noticed improvements to her mobility and strength since starting the classes in 2015.
Deeragun woman Delma Poli has been attending classes for just under year to help with her rheumatoid arthritis.
“I can lift a lot of stuff now. I can lift my grandkids ( aged) three and 17 months,” she said.
Peter Kaye joined three years ago to “keep fit and active”.
“We have a bit of fun, we don’t take each other too seriously and it’s all a friendly group,” he said.