Physical activity and exercise can help you stay healthy, energetic and independent as you get older. Many adults aged 60 and over spend, on average, spend 8 hours or more each day sitting down, making them the most sedentary age group and they’re paying a high price for their inactivity, with higher rates of falls, obesity, heart disease and early death compared with the general population. As you get older, it becomes even more important to remain active if you want to stay healthy and maintain your independence.
Prior to Lockdown 3.0 we introduced our brand new ‘ION Legends’ class specifically for over 60s, this tailored functional fitness class aims to develop all round health and wellness in a friendly and motivating environment. The classes proved to be hugely popular so we have now decided to make the ION Legends a permanent fixture in our timetable, we are running the classes twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11am. We are really excited about inspiring a new older generation of ION members, the classes are perfect for over 60s who are either completely new to fitness or those who are regular gym goers.
Our aim at ION Strength & Conditioning is to help and support individuals to achieve their health and fitness goals through our highly experienced coaches and passionate, supportive community.
One of the main things we pride ourselves on at ION is the quality of our coaches, our ION legends classes will be no exception, all classes will be run by 2 highly skilled coaches with experience in working with clients of all ages and abilities – ensuring sessions are tailored specifically to the needs of the participants.
Building on our commitment to welcoming in members of all ages with our ION Legends classes, we are also placing a greater emphasis on our personal training offering for older clients. We will now be offering 1-2-1 sessions specifically designed for the older generation and those new to fitness.
We feel that this is an exciting new chapter for all of us here at ION and we cannot wait to watch our community to grow and become even more inclusive with this new offering.
ION is not just a gym; we truly believe in our mission to help all of our members and community to achieve optimal health and wellness. This is not just a fitness mission but an holistic approach, underpinned by our key health, wellness and performance pillars: Exercise, Nutrition, Stress Management and Connections.
There are huge benefits to exercise as we get older
Prevent Disease – Studies have shown that maintaining regular physical activity can help prevent many common diseases, such as heart disease and obesity. Exercise improves overall immune function, which is important for seniors as their immune systems are often compromised. Even light exercise, such as walking, can be a powerful tool for preventable disease management.
Improved Mental Health – The mental health benefits of exercise are nearly endless. Exercise produces endorphins (the “feel good” hormone), which act as a stress reliever and leaves you feeling happy and satisfied. In addition, exercise has been linked to improving sleep, which is especially important for older adults who often suffer from insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns.
Decreased Risks of Falls – Older adults are at a higher risk of falls, which can prove to be potentially disastrous for maintaining independence. Exercise improves strength and flexibility, which also help improve balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls. Seniors take much longer to recover from falls, so anything that helps avoid them in the first place is critical.
Social Engagement – Whether you join a walking group, go to group fitness classes or visit an allotment, exercise can be made into a fun social event. Maintaining strong social ties is important for ageing adults to feel a sense of purpose and avoid feelings of loneliness or depression. Above all, the key is to find a form of exercise you love, and it will never feel like a chore again.
Improved Cognitive Function – Regular physical activity and fine-tuned motor skills benefit cognitive function. Countless studies suggest a lower risk of dementia for physically active individuals, regardless of when you begin a routine.
If you would like more information on Personal Training or our Classes then please email info@ioncardiff.com or use the form below.