Silver Fit Fridays at Broomfield Park

20th June 2016

Silver Fit Fridays at Broomfield Park

Although people are living longer in the UK, recent research has shown they are spending their later years with more health problems compared to 20 years ago. Physical inactivity is one of the most important public health problems of the 21st century.

There is now overwhelming evidence that regular physical activity has important and wide-ranging health benefits for older adults.

Silverfit have set up regular ‘Silver Days’ across various London venues. The recipe is simple –meet-up in a café, go off for an hour of planned activities, and meet back again to swap experiences, goals, and have fun with new more active social networks.

‘Silver Friday’ was launched in June 2015, for local residents to enjoy Latin American Dance or Nordic Walking in the lush Broomfield Park, Palmers Green. To build on the session’s success, from 20 May, Tai Chi/Qi Gong will be the third activity on offer.

Tai Chi / Qi Gong: Falls, in an ageing population, represent the greatest cost to the health and care services and arguably the greatest influence on the quality of life of an individual. Research evidence confirms that Pilates exercises and Tai Chi can improve balance. The relaxed, flowing movements, low intensity, constant weight-shifting and coordination of the legs and hips make Tai Chi suitable for elderly and frail populations.

Latin American Dance: Regular dancing is great for losing weight, maintaining strong bones, improving posture and muscle strength, increasing balance and co-ordination, and beating stress. One of the best things about dancing is that while you're having fun moving to music and meeting new people, you're getting all the health benefits of a good workout.

Nordic Walking: Nordic Walking was created by cross country skiers as a way to cross train during the summer. Now it's catching on in the UK and once you try it, you'll never want to walk without poles. It sounds unbelievable, but the benefits are huge! Regular Nordic walking can lower your risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, stroke and some cancers. This one hour workout in the fresh air is sociable too.

 

Age 45 and over. Whether you have never exercised before or are a seasoned pro. meet new friends and get healthy doing it every Friday! £2 members £3 non-members per session. First session free. £5 annual membership.

Visit our website for more details www.silverfit.org.uk

 

Photograph credit Susanne Hakuba