Age no barrier to exercise

GREY POWER found a little extra muscle power at the debut of a new exercise programme at Jane Winstone Retirement Village yesterday.
The residents bobbed up and down on Swiss balls, paced slowly on running machines, threw balls to each other and slowly lifted five-pound dumbells as they worked their way through some of the programme's props.
Activities co-ordinator Sonya Hedge said the new exercise programme was designed by the owners of the retirement home chain, who hoped to encourage residents to be more active.
Triple A ? which stood for "Ageless, Active and Aware" would be held for residents twice a week in addition to its current programme, with sessions with a personal trainer also available.
"It's basically just encouraging the elderly that there is no age limit to being active ? we just encourage them to continue to be healthy, to be active and not to let age be a barrier for the future," she said.
The programme's exercises could be done at four different levels of intensity.
Many older people believed they couldn't get fit because they were old and had ailments.
"We are trying to educate that you do what your body allows you to do, but at least do something," she said.
"We want to make it fun; it's just a fun time for them."
Yesterday resident Josephine Dale was obviously quite taken with a lavender-coloured Swiss ball, bobbing up and down on one for the first time yesterday.
"I could do with one of these in my room ? it's absolutely fantastic," she said.
Another resident, who had lifted weights for 30 years, instructed some of the women on how to use them.
"(It's) created some enthusiasm at the moment, they've all turned up ? they all seem a bit excited about going on the balls," he said.
Fellow resident Sylvia Kearse said she had tried everything but the class had been a bit easier than she was used to.
"We sat on chairs, but I'm used to a bit more than that," she said.