KEEP YOUR FITNESS UP

Nuku Ora, Age Concern Wairarapa and the Wairarapa Positive Ageing Co-ordinator for the three Councils are asking our seniors to “keep your fitness up” during the Omicron outbreak. One person who has been doing this is Wairarapa resident Mary, who keeps her fitness up by regularly attending two weekly strength and balance classes – Steady As You Go and Keep Fit! – despite being 90 next month!

Steady As You Go is a falls prevention class run by Age Concern Wairarapa. Mary says she goes along because it helps to prevent falls, and by keeping active she’s able to maintain her independence and not call on others for help. “I don’t use a walking stick despite having to come up three fairly steep steps at home. Going to exercises keep you strong – when we were in lockdown and no classes were running, I noticed my physical ability deteriorated quite quickly. Classes are important as I need the company of others to motivate me”.

Keep Fit! is run by local instructor Petra Wagner. Mary said that this class “helps from the top of your head to the tip of your toes, and we do a lot of exercises that keep the brain and eyes going which is very beneficial, especially with driving a car which I still do”.

When Mary was asked why someone should go along to a community strength and balance class, she noted that there is a caring aspect to the groups. “Go along, you will be made to feel very welcome, and everyone is very friendly and helpful. The exercises are beneficial and if you can’t do them 100% that doesn’t matter – do as much as you can, and no one will notice or judge you if you can’t do a particular exercise”.

There are several other strength and balance classes running in the Wairarapa including new Steady As You Go classes starting soon in Martinborough, Greytown and Carterton. Contact the office to register your interest (06) 377 0066. To find out more about these classes, or if you want information about exercising at home, please visit www.livestronger.org.nz or call Campbell on (04) 380 2070 ext. 265.