SOCIAL WELLNESS SIGN OF THE TIMES FOR SENIORS
There is a philosophy behind the ACAC (Atlantic Coast Athletic Club) in West Chester that speaks to the times as a growing reason people are increasingly heading back to our region’s gyms.
Beyond the physical benefits, there are other facets also being fed that particularly benefit those in the active aging category.
As the pandemic rages on, people of all ages have learned to adapt to a world in which we have to constantly weigh the risks and benefits of leaving our cocoons.
As fitness clubs are still working on gaining back the membership levels they had pre-pandemic, they are increasingly being looked at as a place worth leaving our homes for because the gym is a place where we can seek refuge and reap benefits in more ways than one.
Katie Gwinn, marketing director at ACAC, which also has a satellite location in Exton, emphasized how important it is for their club to cater to the different facets of wellness.
“It’s social wellness too,” Gwinn said. “It’s the physical, mental and social wellness — we try to provide something for every facet of that wellness realm.”
Over the course of the pandemic, there is a greater level of awareness around the pitfalls of isolation, particularly for seniors.
“We have all come to realize that isolation is not great, and it’s important to have that support system,” Gwinn said.
Fitness clubs have increasingly become a part of that support system since they are often a place where people go to see their friends just as much as they do to get a workout.
“A lot of seniors also get a lot of social interaction here at the club,” Gwinn said, adding it’s common, even in these omicron variant-ridden days, to see friends chatting it up over coffee at its cafe after taking a class.
In addition to coffee and smoothies, clubs are also offering ways to socialize and bond over shared interests that are completely unrelated to fitness.
“We have a garden club and a book club,” Gwinn said, adding these particular clubs are currently halted due to COVID. “That’s a really nice community touch for those seniors, too — it will be nice when they can start back up again.”
Whether a club member’s time at ACAC is partially spent taking an arthritis-focused aquatics class at its indoor heated pool, taking a chair yoga class or playing pickleball, Gwinn said that the pandemic has brought to light the importance of boosting one’s immune system through physical activity.
“In the senior category, people are trying to make it more of a priority and routine for themselves,” she said.
Pickleball is maintaining its popularity as we kick off 2022, and there is a social aspect to that as well that extends beyond the club. A special beginner’s session ACAC offers can be the launch pad to meeting new friends, in addition to learning the game.
“That’s another social group, and they will come and play together every day and get together outside of the club,” Gwinn said. ‘We definitely see a lot of pickleballers in the senior age range, but we do have some younger players as well — that is something new we are seeing. It is typically a retiree sport, but we are seeing that change a little bit now.”
The club’s Arthritis H2O aquatics class is one where members can bond over shared health circumstances.
“It’s in our warm water pool and great for people who have joint issues like arthritis,” Gwinn said. “It helps get them moving, and it’s gentle on the joints because it’s lowimpact but still great for cardiovascular and helps with flexibility, balance and strength, too.”
Or a member might prefer
a more inwardly-centered experience and head to the Mind-Body Suite for heated yoga, a barre class or to receive a one-on-one session at the Pilates reformer studio.
“Our memberships are all access,” Gwinn said, adding that in addition to their heated indoor pool they have two outdoor swimming pools. “The boutique area of the club is included with membership.”
Mid-day, ACAC caters its programming to a senior demographic. The club also listens to members who help drive its offerings.
“We listen to what members are asking for and what is the newest trend,” Gwinn said. “For seniors, it’s staying active and seeing friends and fellow members — we have a great community here and I think that’s what really brings a lot of members in.”