New to TriCare Mt Gravatt Retirement Community’s activities program, aqua aerobics has proven to be a very popular low impact form of exercise for residents.
Taken by qualified aqua aerobics instructor, Dee Loft, the program has been running for three months, tailored to residents’ fitness levels and capabilities.
“Residents are encouraged to work at their own level, whilst still being challenged to ensure maximum fitness and social benefits,” said Mrs Loft.
Aqua aerobics is a popular form of exercise for the over 60s due to its low impact nature. Benefits include cardio fitness, lower blood pressure, weight control, balance and confidence in the water.
Mrs Loft says the program also gives residents a sense of purpose and accomplishment.
“I love watching the residents start to explore their abilities in the water and realise that they are capable of more than they think.
I have seen great improvement over the past three months since the program has been running.”
The class do a range of exercise in the water from lunges, squats, boxing, tricep dips and pilates exercise to help with core strength and balance.
“Residents have the confidence to move freely in the water without the risk of injury or strain on the body that is common with many land based exercises.
And most importantly it’s fun. The social connection that group exercise provides is just as important as the physical benefits” says Mrs Loft.
