At Discovery Village at Boynton Beach, the outdoor gym sees use from residents looking to improve their health and soak up the Florida sunshine.
The gym consists of Legacy Series units, which are great for seniors because they use body-weight resistance. Project planners also utilized benches and shade to make the atmosphere more comfortable for the residents. There is also an open area available for stretching and other activities.
According to the CDC, seniors staying active reduces the risk of falls, which allows for them to live independently for longer and stay healthy. Kimberly Insalaco, Director of Rehab at Ageility, shares the importance of seniors working on their balance and exercising their lower body.
Senior Fitness Means Better Health
“There are standardized tests that say … your balance level is crucial to your mortality rate,” says Insalaco. “It’s directly related to it, so staying healthy, staying mobile, keeps you out of the hospital and keeps you safe and healthy. Everybody that I see that participates regularly in all the exercise classes, they seem to have a better overall health. Their balance looks better, and I’m not seeing as many falls in those people that stay regularly active.”
Exercise has many health benefits for seniors. According to the CDC, some of the immediate health benefits are reduced blood pressure and anxiety and improved sleep quality. Some of the long term health benefits include reducing the risk of developing dementia, lowering the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, cancer prevention, maintaining a healthy weight, and improving bone health.
Retirement Doesn’t Mean Inactivity
Marty Phillips, one of the residents at Discovery Village, has seen a great improvement in his health.
“I have a condition called CMT which is in the spectrum of muscular dystrophy, and I have to exercise,” says Marty. “I had not seen my specialist for about three years, and when I went there this spring he told me that in checking me that I was much stronger than I was three years ago! So I was really, really thrilled … so the exercise does work! I really enjoy exercising in this outdoor fitness area.”
The seniors at Discovery Village love exercising outdoors and don’t miss the indoor gym. Also, Bert Smuger finds that she enjoys using the body-weight resistance design of the machines.
“I love being outside,,” says Discovery Village resident Smuger. “I really feel that I’m using more muscles and I like the variation.”
The fitness zone at Discovery Village in Boynton Beach keeps seniors happy and healthy because of the numerous health benefits. The community that comes with it make an impact in the residents’ lives. What difference could an outdoor gym make in your senior communities? Contact us to get started.