Water gym for nannas

MONBULK Aquatic Centre YMCA has been running its older adult program, ‘PrYme Movers’ for many years with great success.
The program is specifically designed for the 60-plus age group and offers both aqua and gym-based classes.
Older adult co-ordinator Rayanne Hutchins said that the fitness classes offered to older adults had a lot in common with the regular group fitness classes in that they included warm-up, cardio, strength, flexibility and cool down components.
“What makes the older adult class different is the focus on balance, mobility and postural training,” she said.
“Aqua classes are suitable for people of all strengths and weaknesses. The participant is led through a range of exercises using the water for support and resistance.
“Aqua classes are particularly beneficial for those people needing rehabilitation from injury, recovering from joint surgery, suffering from arthritis or wanting to reduce body weight.”
The gym-based classes utilise the gym for weights and cardio training as well as the studio for fitball, hand weights and elastics exercises, and balance/abdominal and flexibility training.
Rayanne said the gym classes were valuable for those suffering from osteoporosis, arthritis, postural degeneration and balance/co-ordination issues.
“Participants can re-learn movements that they avoid due to pain or injury, improve on movements they find difficult and learn to move with confidence,” she said.
A regular ‘PrYme Movers’ participant said: “Our gifted instructor has the magic touch with us oldies; she makes the whole experience great fun as well as extremely therapeutic.”
Monbulk Aquatic Centre YMCA offers ‘PrYme Movers’ classes from Mondays to Thursdays in the mornings and the afternoons.
Details are available from reception by phoning 9756 6227.
Monbulk Aquatic Centre YMCA is in Baynes Park Road, Monbulk; or visit the website at www.monbulk.ymca.org.au.