Bending and stretching to fitness

Cathy Wicks’ desire to stay active and healthy has led dozens of her new friends to try a new style of fitness class at Seachange Riverside Coomera. Cathy, the resort’s Resident Activities Coordinator, attended fitness classes at the Pacific Pines Community Hub prior to settling at Seachange.

“When my husband Graeme and I moved to Seachange just over a year ago, I was so excited about the variety of activities on offer, but I did think it would be fun to continue with some of the fitness classes I took before we moved to the resort,” she said. “A couple of my friends attended a session of a new class called AgeilityFit post COVID and told me it was different but really good for our age group.”

“It sounded fantastic, so I tried it out, and now we have our very own weekly class here at Seachange.” Cathy said the beauty of AgeilityFit, led by instructor David Lawson, was how it combined physical and mental activity. “It’s about balance, listening to instructions that you have to follow, and then changing things mid-way through, so you have to use your brain too,” she said.

Mr Lawson said his MatureFit program was designed to improve participants’ health and wellbeing. “It focuses on developing strength, improving mobility, flexibility, balance and independence whether you want to challenge your current fitness level or start your fitness journey anew. We help many who have never exercised before or it has been years since they did sport or other activities,” he said. The low-impact class caters for those with injuries and limited capabilities by utilising light dumbbells and resistant bands to perform a variety of exercise while seated or standing with a chair as assistance.

“We work with all types of people. Some who have had hip or knee replacements, shoulder and back issues and others who have had strokes. Participating in classes can make everyday activities easier and shows you that it is never too late to make an improvement to your health and wellbeing,” he said. Seachange Riverside Coomera Community Manager Lynn Wild said she thoroughly enjoyed seeing homeowners trying new activities at the resort. “At Seachange, we provide our residents with the opportunity to participate in all type of fitness programs such as Yoga and Line Dancing,” she said. “Lawn Bowls is a really popular activity, and it is wonderful to see more and more people using our fully equipped gym, treatment room, sauna and steam room. “AgeilityFit is proving to be great new option for those wanting to try something interesting and different.”