Helping Sedentary Parents: BHC Senior Fitness Program and Insurance Provided Memberships
If we are lucky enough to still have our parents with us, we want the best for them and that includes being fit, healthy, and independent. Fitness is freedom and is no longer just for the young. We, here at Ballard Health Club, pride ourselves on helping the Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers of Ballard and beyond get moving, achieve fitness, and maintain independence through expert Senior Fitness classes, certified personal trainers with experience working with an aging population, and Insurance Provided Memberships.
The CDC states, "Older adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity each week ... this could be 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week." Taking 2-3 of our classes per week would help you achieve this goal, and we offer 11 Senior Classes Monday-Friday with both in-studio and virtual options (not to mention our Video On-Demand options)!
Each of our instructors focuses on building community in their classes, whether it be virtually, in-person, or with our hybrid classes. In-Studio classes like Ivonne’s Silver-Circuit or Marianne’s Silver-Sneakers classes are great for local members who are able to come to the club and join the group in-person. Virtual classes like Hattie’s Circuit Strength and Silver-Plus are perfect for those who prefer to get fit in the comfort of their own home. With just the click of a button on a phone, tablet or computer and minimal equipment, Hattie provides a weekly exercise routine with safe, fun and challenging workouts. If someone happens to miss a session, our Virtual classes are uploaded to our Video On-Demand that can be accessed at any time.
What are the benefits of exercise for Seniors?
Exercise for seniors is critical for lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke and helps people live independently longer (staying out of facilities as long as possible)
Functional fitness, taught in our classes, increases range of motion for healthy movement patterns and keeps our bodies injury-free
Weight lifting for Senior women has shown to slow bone loss, prevent fractures, and stimulate bone osteogenesis by stimulating the growth of muscle and bone
Our classes also focus on balance work, to ensure we decrease the risk of falls in older adults
The mental benefits of exercise include reducing the risk of cognitive disorders, like dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and depression
Below are several examples of movements that you can expect in our Senior classes with Coach Hattie!
Balancing on one foot (important for balance, foot, and lower leg strength)
Squats (this exercise is critical in our everyday lives because we squat to get in and out a chair or the car)
Lunges (this is great for building strength and balance in the lower body)
An Insurance Provided Membership covers our Basic Membership with the option to upgrade to a Plus Membership for $30.00 per month, giving access to all BHC In-Studio and Virtual classes. We accept 4 different providers including Silver Sneakers, Silver & Fit, Renew Active and FitOn.. Check with your insurance provider to see if you qualify.
So, whether Mom and Dad live here in Ballard or out of town, we have a fitness program for them.
For more information about our Senior Fitness Program or Insurance Provided Membership options please contact our Fitness Director, Kyle Hyde, at kyle@ballardhealthclub.com .