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As we get older exercising and keeping fit can become more difficult- aches and pains, reduced mobility, illness etc all impact on our ability to stay active. But there are lots of things we can do to stay healthy and active and joining a Move It Or Lose It class is a great way to improve mobility and overall health. Staying active as we age is also vital for maintaining independence and the social aspect of exercising at a class helps keep the mind healthy too! Making friends and sharing a joke over a cup of tea is just as important as performing the exercises themselves. Exercise has all kinds of benefits, not just physically but also mentally. The endorphins and positive feelings we get during and after exercise can have an amazing effect on our emotional well being, unleashing our creativity and inspiration. One of Amanda’s regular attendees has been so inspired by her Move It Or Lose It class that she wrote a fantastic poem about it! “What has she got up her sleeve today? Whatever it is - she’ll have her way She smiles and is keen But you know when you’ve been To Essendine class on a Tuesday! Is it tea time yet? No! Keep going That bean bag keeps toing and froing Muscles take a hit Our joints ache a bit But at least the blood is flowing! We’ve mastered another move Amanda’s not stuck in a groove Coz, she’ll change it next week More music she’ll seek In the hope that we might improve! Amanda, we think you’re great No criticism if we’re a bit late We do our best for you The actions- we get through Then it’s tea and back home through the gate” By Francis Wing Francis clearly enjoys her weekly class with Amanda and this has ignited her creativity as well as improving her fitness and mobility. Making new friends and being able to exercise while having fun is fantastic for keeping us motivated and Francis obviously looks forward to her weekly Move It Or Lose It class! Amanda we think you’re great The class at Essendine Village Hall near Stamford, Rutland is held on a Tuesday and consists of 45 minutes of gentle exercise followed by drinks and a chat.
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If you’re still feeling the post Christmas slump and Januarys 'New You' plans have gone out the window, why not try joining a regular exercise class? Being active has many health benefits but staying motivated to keep exercising through the cold, winter months can be difficult. Attending a regular exercise class can really help you stay focussed and committed. If you just plan to go for a run on your own you have no one to keep you accountable and if the weather is bad it’s easy to keep putting it off until tomorrow. If you arrange to go to a class with your friends you are much more likely to achieve your fitness goals.  Bootcamp Classes Bootcamp is a great way to get fit and meet new people. Our Bootcamp classes are held indoors and outdoors allowing us to perform a greater variety of exercises. The main aim in the Bootcamp class is to have fun while getting fit! Bootcamp uses HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) as the basis for the exercises. HIIT allows us to burn more calories in a shorter amount of time (Bootcamp classes are 45 minutes long). Using circuits, race layouts, team exercises etc Bootcamp is never boring and each class is designed to push each individual to their limits. What We Do at Smart Fitt Bootcamp:
All classes are aimed at all abilities and the classes are designed around each individual. At our most recent Bootcamp class we used old mats and folded them over to use as focus pads. In pairs the class performed 10 punches, then side stepped across the room, then swapped who was holding the mat and repeated the sequence. Next, 2 punches standing followed by 2 punches in a low squat. Then ab curl up followed by two punches and finally high plank and punch. We went on to Gliders (discs that slide/glide across the floor). In pairs again, one person placed their hands onto the gliders and ran across the hall and back (monkey runs) while the other person did jumping jacks. Then swapped and repeated the exercises. Next, one person placed each foot on a glider and took a high plank position then used their hands to pull themselves across the floor while the other person did high knees. Then everyone swapped and repeated the exercises. The class was finished with a metabolic raiser where the group was split into groups based on their ability, beginners, intermediate and advanced. Each group was then given 3 exercises and each exercise had to be performed 10 times, then 9 times, then 8 times etc with a 5 minute time limit. The challenge of the exercise was to see the lowest number that could be achieved in the set time. This set will be re-done in 6 weeks to test fitness improvements. Improve Your Well-being Regular exercise really improves our general well-being, helps with memory and can help with depression and anxiety. To really get the most out of your exercise regime we recommend working with a personal instructor who can guide you and offer continued support. Personalised Training Sessions If group sessions are not for you, we offer one-to-one sessions or two-to-one sessions for those whose work and life schedules mean that going to classes is almost impossible or for those who want to achieve a goal but are not quite getting there with their gym membership  A recent study conducted by Alzheimer’s Research UK has found that half the UK population has no idea of the risk factors for dementia. In fact, the study revealed that a fifth of people believed it was just an inevitable part of aging. But the truth is we can all play a part in reducing our risk factors of developing the disease, simply by adopting a healthier lifestyle and exercising!
We all know how great exercise makes us feel so it makes sense to make regular, enjoyable exercise part of your routine. This NHS article really highlights how social physical activity can play a big part in helping depression and anxiety in old age which in turn could lower the risk of developing dementia. Exercise can increase: Memory and thinking skills Harvard Medical School showed that moderate regular exercise can improve your memory in only 6 months. Exercise works on the brain directly and indirectly. Directly by increasing the volume of the parts of the brain which control memory and indirectly through improving sleep and reducing stress and anxiety. Life Expectancy According to the World Health Organisation regular exercise can increase your lifespan by reducing the likelihood of coronary disease, type 2 diabetes, colon and breast cancer. Regular exercise improves muscle fitness and body mass. Cardiovascular Health John Hopkins Medicine suggest that physical activity can be just as much of a benefit to your heart health as medication. Exercise can help by lowering blood pressure, keeping your weight under control and strengthening your muscles. Overall Wellbeing Exercise can help treat depression and anxiety. The endorphins (hormone that makes us feel good) released through exercise give you an enormous sense of well being as well as helping you feel energised. The benefits of regular exercise are vast but as we get older it is common to ease off on the amount of physical activity we do. Decreased mobility, illness and isolation are all factors that affect how active we are in old age. Taking part in regular exercise classes such as The Move it or Lose it classes with Amanda Abbott at Smart Fitt will help increase your overall well-being, heart and brain health as well as improve your balance and reduce your risk of falls. You’ll get to meet up with like minded friends to help motivate each other. The classes are designed to help people remain active and healthy as they age. Classes started this month, a full class schedule can be found here: Move It or Lose It Class Schedule contact Amanda on 07535788756, or email amanda@smart-fitt.fitness for more information. |
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