Five Ways Exercise Loves Seniors

Ruth Roessle didn’t always enjoy exercising. In fact, she used to think of every excuse in the book to avoid it. But, her mindset changed after moving with her husband, Fred, to Winchester Gardens, a continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Maplewood, New Jersey.

“The exercise programs are really fun and good medicine, with lots of laughs,” shared Ruth. “Participating in the different classes has opened up a new door for me. I always had a good excuse to not participate, but now I look forward to my time there.”

If there’s ever a time to make regular exercise a priority, it’s during the golden years. According to the University of Southern California’s School of Gerontology, aging’s impact on our bodies – our muscles (loss of mass), bones (loss of density), joints and metabolism – isn’t something we can avoid altogether, but can at least help combat via regular activity.

If that doesn’t inspire you to put on your walking shoes, consider that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that for seniors of all backgrounds, exercising regularly returns the love exponentially in terms of physical and mental health, including:

• Lowered blood pressure and cholesterol
• Increased balance
• Weight maintenance
• Lowered risk of serious diseases and improved outlook on existing conditions
• Reduced inflammation
• Improved outlook

Still, you need to find some enjoyment in exercise to ensure you start a program and keep coming back for more.

Five Ways Winchester Gardens’ Residents Can Fall in Love with Exercise

Like many seniors, Ruth just needed a little extra nudge to get her up and moving. The Winchester Gardens resident now embraces regular physical activity, thanks to our senior community’s extensive health and wellness programming, including a variety of activities and classes to get even the most exercise-resistant resident up and dancing, such as:

• Wait, did someone say dancing? Yes, our activity calendar regularly offers up classes on ballroom, rumba and more.
• Meandering throughout the nearly 40 acres that comprise campus are paths that are just perfect for walking or jogging. (The Arthritis Foundation is also a very enthusiastic supporter of walking as exercise.)
• Participating in a water aerobics class or do some laps in the indoor pool.
• Yoga and tai chi. Excellent low impact activities for big results, physically and mentally.

Of course, these are just a sampling of what our community offers in terms of programming. It also has some other wonderful amenities, in addition to world-class service and care.

Life. Fulfilled. At Winchester Gardens

The curb appeal of Winchester Gardens is stunning. The architecture is majestic. The grounds are lush and pedigreed: the original designers were John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., sons of the landscape architect who planned New York’s Central Park.

Winchester Gardens has been serving seniors since 1927, providing a stimulating environment where residents thrive, knowing they have a secure plan for their future. Our CCRC offers a range of senior living options for the ultimate retirement lifestyle, including spacious, independent living villas and charming apartments.

Learn more about living a fulfilling life here by contacting us today.