Health and Wellbeing Advice
Healthy Lifestyles for All
February 15th,
by Paul Pearce, STARplex Fitness Centre Manager
Healthy living can be enjoyed by all, regardless of age, fitness level, employment or disability. Physical activity, when supervised by qualified professionals, can be a form of medicine, helping to manage diseases like diabetes or rehabilitate people post trauma.
Over 50’s fitness programs are becoming more widespread as “baby boomers” look to extend their quality of life. Strength for Life (COTA), available at approved fitness centres, is one of the options available for our ageing population.
Hydrotherapy, being water-based and low-impact is ideal for a sedentary population. It provides increased flexibility and circulation through the joints and muscles. Participants with joint pain can increase the duration and intensity of exercise.
Disability groups also enjoy the benefits of water exercise classes. Comrec (community recreation group for disabled people in the Northern Adelaide area), Novita Children’s Services and Scosa (Spastic Centre of South Australia) have been coming to STARplex Swim Centre for several years.
The Australian Government is now targeting healthy lifestyle programs for employees and organisations through the new Healthy Workers Initiative.
This focus reflects the demand for our community to be in good health. In the near future our workplaces may take bolder steps to introduce corporate wellness programs based on health promotion – some already have on-site fitness areas. Group fitness classes or personal training sessions at lunchtime may soon go hand in hand with the removal of junk food vending machines in an effort to stem the tide of an ever increasingly obese population.
This would not only benefit workers but have a positive flow on effect for their business and the community in general.
In the end a healthy lifestyle comes down to the choices we make for ourselves. Achieving good health comes down to the satisfaction we get from developing good eating habits and exercising properly.
Enjoying the benefits of water exercise at STARplex Swim Centre |
