Dubbo Photo News

Seniors’ fitness a priority in March at RSL Health Club

- By YVETTE AUBUSSON -FOLEY

STAYING fit in your senior years is essential to delay physical disability and chronic diseases plus reduce health care costs, and that makes the RSL Health Club’s March Seniors Special of $5 per visit such a great – maybe life-changing – opportunit­y.

Plus, if you’ve never tried the RSL before, then your first visit is free!

Whether in the gym, group fitness activities and sauna or steam rooms, seniors can enjoy low impact classes like yoga, Pilates, Healthy Hearts, Zumba and Recharge with Donna, Karen, Tracy, Sue and Maree.

There is something low impact on every day of the week, open to men and women, and if you’re heading to the gym the friendly staff will guide you on recommende­d, safe and low impact workouts.

The Club enjoys a large seniors clientele so you won’t be alone and there’s no need to be shy. When in doubt bring a friend.

The RSL Health Club is open seven days, Senior members enjoy a social get together. Monday to Friday from 5.30am to 9pm, Saturday 7am to 5pm and Sunday 8.30am to 3pm.

There are ample showers, and you’re right next door to the RSL Club’s taxi rank, multi-storey car park, and Sunset Bistro or Poppy’s café for an after-workout social outing or meal.

Just last month results from an independen­t government study found the benefits of regular exercise for seniors was to reduce many of the adverse effects associated with normal ageing, including the reduction in physical disability and chronic diseases such as diabetes 2, osteoporos­is and osteoarthr­itis, all of which increase the requiremen­t for aged care services.

The study, called Muscling Up Against Disability, followed the progress of 245 people aged 65 to 92 using structured progressiv­e resistance plus balance training (PRBT).

Participan­ts achieved 33 per cent improvemen­t in leg strength, a 13 per cent increase in overall physical performanc­e, a 23 per cent drop in the risk of sarcopenia (muscle wastage), a seven per cent drop in frailty and a significan­t reduction in falls.

At the time of the study’s release on February 1, 2018, the Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt said the study group also recorded reduced depression and anxiety.

“What makes these results so important is that the participan­ts chosen were average people receiving in-home care who would not normally exercise in a gym.

“This indicates it’s never too late to start reaping the benefits of structured exercise and that people can push back against ageing and disability throughout their senior years,” he said.

“The study results also indicated a steady reduction in participan­ts’ overall health care costs.

“While structured exercise improves independen­ce and wellbeing, we know fitter seniors are healthier and need less complex and costly aged care services.”

The Minister encouraged seniors to consider resistance training where possible, and to undertake as wide a range of physical activities as possible.

“Dancing and yoga are other activities that everyone can embrace, including people in residentia­l care and those living with dementia,” he said.

“Trials suggest that as well as improving coordinati­on and balance, physical activity makes people feel happier and sleep better and it may also improve their thinking.”

What. Are. You. Waiting. For?

THE FACTS, FAST

Dubbo RSL Health Club

March is Seniors Month

Low Impact Sessions

$5 per visit

First visit free for newcomers

Cnr Brisbane and Wingewarra Street, Dubbo Entry via RSL Carpark

Phone 6884 1777

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PHOTO: SUPPLIED.
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PHOTO: SUPPLIED. Low impact classes are on every day and just $5 per visit for Seniors during March.

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