HEALTH – Antelope Valley seniors Wednesday joined more than 100,000 older adults nationwide in fitness activities to celebrate National Senior Health & Fitness Day – the nation’s largest health promotion event for seniors.
Local activities took place at High Desert Medical Group’s Senior Wellness Center in Lancaster.
“To get the seniors out and moving not only benefits their health, it’s a way to be social, get active and have a lot of fun,” said Sally Abbott, HDMG Senior Wellness Center manager.
The day was filled with free activities promoting fitness and good health for seniors of the Antelope Valley, including a fitness walk with exercise stations, health-related informational tips, Tai Chi, Wii demonstrations with hands-on challenges, exercises, health screenings, karaoke and more.
“I think any exercise is important for seniors,” said instructor Jim Adamik of A.V. Tai Chi & Qigong. “What’s nice about the combination of Tai Chi and Qigong that I teach is that all the class can be done sitting in a chair or standing. It can be done for people that have a physical impairment.”
Adamik, who teaches classes at senior centers throughout the AV and in his own studio, said senior health and fitness day is extremely important for older residents.
“It’s a good time to offer to seniors blood pressure and other health monitoring devices, information on their insurance, a chance to get them signed up to different programs, and a chance for seniors to find out what’s available for them to become and stay healthy, whether its diet or exercise,” Adamik said. “Sometimes just being in a group makes them feel good, to mingle with some friends.”
Free on-site chair massages were also given from 2 to 5 p.m. in celebration of National Senior Health & Fitness Day.
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Susan Proctor says
I enjoyed a wonderful afternoon teaching Zumba dance to a great group of seniors. So glad to have met you all! Can’t wait to Zumba again. Such a beautiful facility.