Flexing for the future
Bette Davis famously said: ‘Old age ain’t for sissies.’ But had she seen today’s modern retirement villages, with stateof-the-art fitness spas and expert trainers at hand to deal with the aches and pains of ageing, she might not have been so worried.
and it’s these touches that attract many residents to the PegasusLife village at Chapelwood, in Wilmslow, Cheshire ( pegasuslife.co.uk). Here, health and wellbeing is monitored scrupulously, with everything from fitness to sleep patterns being recorded by the staff.
‘it’s a holistic thing and part of their everyday lives,’ says Hollie Gilbert, 29, a trainer at PegasusLife, Chapelwood.
Non weight-bearing exercises — notably those associated with tai chi — and exercises in the swimming pool play a big part in the fitness routines.
Christine Berrisford, 85, had a stroke 11 years ago and, as she lived at the top of a hill, was reliant on her husband for several years. after he passed away, Christine moved into the Chapelwood village and took up swimming in the indoor pool at 8am every day. Now, her general mobility is vastly improved and she can be found striding the grounds most afternoons.
the trainers at Pegasus are experimenting with the latest forms of water treatment.
‘at our new development at steepleton, in the Cotswolds, which is currently under construction, there will be a natural pond, cleansed and regulated by plants, with no chemicals in it,’ says Michelle Hammond, 43, the group’s wellness consultant, who also designs spas for hotels and resorts.
‘the aim is to boost the immune system, strengthen the body’s defences, help circulation and stimulate endorphins, which combat stress and depression.’
Of course, residents will not be allowed to undergo this cold water treatment without first passing assessment tests.
tom Fulwell, a coach at audley st George’s Place, in edgbaston, Birmingham ( audleyvillages.co.uk), runs classes to develop residents’ mobility, improve their strength, and work on their flexibility and balance.
Resident tony Brett-Young, 74, had been fit in his youth, but had latterly let things slide. He has benefited enormously from the classes. ‘it works because tom is sensitive to everyone’s different fitness levels,’ says tony, who spends half an hour in the gym and in the pool every day.
as well as making residents feel better, physical activity provides a greater chance of living longer, healthier lives. this is because exercise boosts the immune system, enabling us to better fight off infection and disease.
at the Wadswick Green village, in Wiltshire ( wadswickgreen.co.uk), Peter Ross, 69, has noticed his general health improve dramatically as a result of taking regular exercise.
‘since moving here in august 2016, i feel much sharper, i’ve lost weight and i’ve seen a drop in my blood pressure. it’s been enjoyable because my wife has joined me on the fitness trail,’ says Peter.
FITNESS coaches in the retirement villages are reluctant to accept that exercise is beyond the capability of any of their residents. at audley st George’s Place, they speak in awe of one 90-year- old woman who is a fast walker and can do a creditable number of squats and rows per session.
‘anybody with an injury or an age-related infirmity needs special treatment, but they can participate,’ says Dimitrij Zavgoradnij, the fitness manager at Wadswick Green. ‘We offer low-impact forms of exercise. the slow moves cover all the joints and are great for the less mobile.’
improving fitness levels need not depend on access to an expensive spa. Retirement housebuilder McCarthy & stone ( mccarthyandstone.co.uk) is piloting a training scheme in conjunction with wellness company Oomph!, delivering fitness classes in the residents’ lounges.
‘the sessions enrich the lives of our homeowners,’ says Will Purvis, of McCarthy & stone. ‘they help them lead happier, healthier lives.’