In about four months, I will be marking my 18th year in the fitness world.
So many things have since transpired in my journey to Movement that began in the year 2000. What started as a challenge from my late grandfather ultimately became my lifestyle.
I literally traversed a jungle just to get to where I am today. Through this journey, I gained knowledge in movement, understanding human physiology and anatomy, the science and art of coaching.
I have overcome tremendous challenges and garnered experiences that are truly worth reminiscing. In my over 10 years of coaching, I have trained people of various shapes and sizes and different ages.
The most common fitness enthusiasts I have worked with belong to the age category 15-40 years old. The second biggest group belongs to the age group 41-50. A few are 50 years old and older.
Most of my older clients would remind me: “Coach, I am already old, and my knees aren’t fit to exercise anymore, not like when I was younger.”
I somehow feel that more than anything, our elders are simply intimidated by the mere sight of people, 30 years younger than them, exercising profusely.
Personally, I believe that age has nothing to do with being fit. I wouldn’t be able to stand myself not doing any purposeful movements. Come to think of it, it’s actually constant movement that keeps our system at its prime, in its best condition.
Although it’s true that not all types of exercises are for everyone, constant movement is essential for everyone for as long as we are alive.
Active-Aging (formerly popularly known as Senior Fitness) is the phenomenon to encourage our elders to keep moving every single day.
We have established systems of movement that are fit for our grandmas and grandpas. No excuses this time. I dare say, the reason that “exercising is only for the young” is an alibi of the lazy.
The Active-Aging method is a customized training system designed for the comfort of our elders. It is a process of safe regressions and progressions to allow them to keep up with their daily activities. Active-aging is used to describe the “maintenance of positive subjective well-being, good physical, social and mental health” and continued involvement in one’s family, peer group, and community throughout the aging process.
Moreover, Active-Aging does not only promote the physical aspect but all the fitness dimensions. It involves the nutritional, emotional, financial, social, family, and spiritual dimensions. The approach is holistic for their lives matter.
Often, people who are pushing 60 look forward to their so-called “dual citizenship”. As senior citizens, they get their IDs which enable them to avail of 20 percent discounts on food and maintenance medicines, among others. If they move and exercise regularly, they may even forego their maintenance medications. I had a senior citizen-client whose doctor eventually prescribed her to stop her cholesterol meds after six months of regular training with me at Fit & Play.
With proper guidance by an exercise professional, our elderly can safely and effectively sweat it out. The exercises may seem limited (with different variations on the routines) but it doesn’t mean the elderly develop lesser stamina, strength, and endurance.
Surely, it’s never easy; in fact, it is challenging. But never impossible to accomplish.
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Author’s email: archie.nellas@gmail.com
