YMCA NSW’s Singleton Swim and Gym will be giving seniors the chance to be ‘big kids’ again at their Silly Seniors event as part of the 60th annual NSW Seniors Festival.
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YMCA NSW is embracing this year’s theme “Let’s Do More Together” and will offer healthy ageing advice, a free morning tea, and a week of free access to select services from 4 to 18 April.
On Tuesday April 10, Singleton Swim and Gym will be offering a free aqua class for seniors at 9:30am followed by an inflatable session in their indoor pool.
Amanda Bryne, YMCA NSW Singleton Centre Manager, says the young-at-heart will be impressed when they see the big inflatable course.
“Inflatables are always fun no matter your age,” Ms Byrne says.
“We encourage grandparents to bring their grandchildren down to join in the fun too and celebrate together.
“There will be plenty of opportunities this Seniors Festival to learn new skills and build friendships at our Pensions Perks morning tea or even try out a new class.”
Falls are the number one injury among persons aged 65 years and over and account for 40 per cent of injury-related deaths in this age-group.
Regular exercise can help prevent falls and related injuries by improving balance, muscle strength and flexibility.
Alisa Wells, YMCA NSW Health and Fitness Manager, says Seniors Festival is a great way for people to learn about the benefits of exercise for healthy ageing.
“Structured physical activity and balance training have been found to reduce risk and rates of serious fall-related injuries by up to 43 percent and breaks caused by falls by up to 61 per cent,” Ms Wells says.
“As well as falls prevention, the other benefits of exercise include faster recovery times from illness, improved reaction times, coordination and strength. It also helps to improve quality of life and increase life expectancy.
YMCA NSW’s Seniors Festival offers non-members free access to their NSW centres and their programs and activities for the week.
PrYme Movers classes are offered at 15 YMCA-run centres across NSW and the ACT each week, which focus on improving the strength, co-ordination, fitness and balance of participants.
“PrYme Movers classes aim to remove the barriers to exercise participation and provide great social networking opportunities,” Ms Wells says.
“The active seniors programs at YMCA Singleton include a range of both land and water-based activities and are based on progressive resistance training.
“They also incorporate aerobic exercise which helps improve cognitive function.”
For more information contact Singleton Swim and Gym on (02) 6572 1359 or visit www.seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au.
