Exercise as Medicine® loves running classes for older adults and people with long-term health conditions. Our reasons for this are threefold:
1. Classes enable us to benefit more people at an affordable cost.
2. Classes enable us to use the endless opportunities they provide regarding group drills and games and the fun they provide.
3. Classes embrace the power of social connection and support among members often, this is just as important as the exercise itself.
What do our class members have to say about the benefits? Overall, the benefits from their perspective fell into three categories.
Commitment
- I know what I should do but would not do these exercises at home.”
- “I work a bit harder in the class…I keep going to the end rather than stop when I have had enough.”
- “The encouragement keeps me going.”
Camaraderie
- “This is the highlight of my week.”
- “I feel part of a group of like-minded people. I feel a connection.”
- “We have fun and laugh a lot.”
Confidence
Feeling reassured that the trainer knows them and their issues and will keep the safety of what they are doing foremost in their mind.
- “I would never go to a gym as I wouldn’t get any help there at all, and wouldn’t know what to do anyway.”
- “I love the variety in the classes; I would quickly get bored doing my physio exercises.”
“When you have a group of people who know and trust each other, magic happens.” Unknown
