Sue Schwartz
As kids, we loved to get together to play with our friends. As teenagers, our world revolved around our friends. As adults, we still enjoy being active with friends, but don’t always feel like we have the time or opportunities to do so. Personal Training provides us with an opportunity to feel young again and be physically active with our great-grandchildren, grandchildren, family and friends.
Some people believe personal training is strenuous. No one said it was going to be easy, but it is not impossible to help people reach their fitness goals. The “new age” method offered at Cottonwood is neither arduous nor boring. Instead, the focus is on movements and games, many similar to those children play on the playground. We begin with simple movements, which progress to more complex challenges for the brain and body. For example, we train left and right, hands and feet, to manipulate large and small objects with increasing precision. These movements promote balance and dexterity which prevents falls and increase eye-hand coordination. The activities in this “new age” method develop the large and small muscle groups and foster stability and physical coordination.
One of the coolest discoveries in fitness for older adults is that we can safely do much more than we even know. We’ll be practicing agility, because it’s really important for older adults. Many of us tend to slow down and do little else but walk. But real life presents plenty of obstacles to get over, around and through. We also do unique activities to integrate balance, strength and mobility. When was the last time you dribbled or played catch with a ball? How about doing different ball passes while moving sideways? Before most sessions are over, you’ve moved in every plane and direction.
Enjoy this profile reflecting on one of the cool people who enjoys exercising at CWPV’s playground, a/k/a Phoenix Room. Her dedication to fitness and accomplishments, in and out of the playground, are inspirations for all of us to remain functionally fit.
Mom is in her late 80s, young at heart and always focused on living a life she loves. She gets help from professionals who know and value exercise. Mom is very lucky to have the support of her family. Just as important are the medical professionals and her personal trainer. The medical professionals understand Mom needs to take some calculated risk. Training to gain strength in the muscles that protect her spine and improve her balance is worth her investment of time and money. Her trainer has a good handle on an appropriate amount of weight, number of repetitions, etc., to keep her as safe as possible while also challenging her to get stronger. Mom’s goal is to get fit, not hurt.
Three times a week, Mom enjoys the playground’s mind, body and brain games that make her feel young at heart.
Join game time at the CW Playground and discover what you are capable of achieving. For more information, contact [email protected].