Feel like other gyms with their loud doof doof music and their selfie-takers are not for you? Then say hello to Club Active. This is a place specifically designed for you.
Club Active was created by Founder and Managing Director, Jonathan Freeman, an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. He’s also a respected speaker on the benefits of exercise as medicine. Jonathan saw a need to provide a different kind of gym for the over 50s – that put wellness first and offered more support than a regular gym. Let’s be real here, this is the type of gym we always wanted but it didn’t exist – until now. Club Active is a unique chain of health and fitness centres for the over 50s, with a vision to change the way we age. And, they do this in a safe, fun and non-intimidating environment with the average age across its clubs being 62.
The facilities comprise of modern, spacious, light-filled open areas of medical-grade gym equipment, group fitness areas, cardio equipment, weights and other recreational areas designed to cater for all levels of health and fitness. So, if you are in the ripe part of your life, and want to get fit or keep fit, or use exercise to help mediate an illness, then this is a compelling proposition.
How is Club Active Different to Other Gyms?
Club Active is not like the traditional gym set-up with personal trainers, instead it is staffed with allied health professionals, including accredited exercise physiologist, dietician and physiotherapist. The university-trained exercise physiologists design and monitor tailored exercise programs for you that are housed on a Club Active ‘key’. This key allows the member to follow the program easily as it will only work on the machines programmed for that specific member and their goal.
The community aspect is also a big winner. Club Active offers a more ‘club’ feel, providing social engagement and connection. Individuals who live on their own or are limited in their ability to get out and about, love this about Club Active. It is a sense of belonging to a ‘community.’ This is a different feel to the fast-paced ‘swipe in, swipe out’ gyms. Club Active wants Baby Boomers to stay socially connected as loneliness can lead to disrupted sleep patterns, elevated blood pressure, increased cortisol levels. It can also lead to isolation and depression. Contact with your community also maintains cognitive function. We all know the benefits of exercise. But for Silvers, there are added benefits. Exercise can prevent and manage chronic conditions. And, strength and fitness mean Silvers can maintain an independent lifestyle.
Rebates and Incentives
There are government incentives and rebates through the Department of Veteran Affairs, as well as Medicare, private health insurance and NDIS. Because physical inactivity is the second largest cause of chronic disease and ill-health in Australia, the government wants Silvers to get into places like Club Active. The membership team can help you with this, so pop in or call. Remember, you are never too old to start and there has never been a better time to join a gym.
Who Should Come to Club Active?
Anyone who wants to take a proactive approach to their health to ward off or delay the onset of the various diseases associated with ageing. Great candidates are those who simply want to feel stronger, or lose weight, or keep mobile. The allied health professional team at Club Active can also help those who have diagnosed health conditions – for example diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, heart conditions, asthma etc. Or, those who have injuries or need pre/post-operative care to assist in the management of symptoms.
What do Club Active Members Like Best?
According to surveys done by Club Active, women generally love the Group Fitness Classes – Groove, Move & Tone, Pilates. This is while the men are generally enjoying their tailored program designed by an exercise physiologist – and perhaps a Strength Group Class.
Benefits of Exercise for Older Adults
Stats about the over 50s:
- Only one in 10 exercises enough to gain any cardiovascular benefit.
- 70% older people are overweight or obese.
- Physical inactivity (low levels of physical activity) is the fourth leading cause of death.
- The seven diseases most closely linked to physical inactivity (in descending order)
- Diabetes
- Bowel and uterine cancer
- Dementia
- Breast cancer
- Coronary heart diseases
- Stroke
Case Study
Lindy Lynch is 58. She has been a member since Club Active opened in May 2017. I was first referred to Club Active by my doctor. I had worked at a computer for a long time at my job and had some back problems. Jonathan at Club Active did some Exercise Physiologist (EP) work on me to help get me right again. After I retired, I continued to go to Club Active three times a week with my husband. He’s actually eligible under the Veterans Affairs’ benefit.
I love working on the machines, my routines are designed around my back issues. I have been able to build up my strength immensely and get back on the rower, which I hadn’t been able to do for years – but also because I was too scared. When you are told you have a bad back and you can’t do things anymore, you tend to believe it. But you don’t have to live like that. I have built up my strength with weights, which I love. The weight machines there are assisted and medical grade so it is easily controlled and you always feel safe. Now that I am well again, I will definitely continue going for maintaining my wellbeing.
Part of my regime is a lot of stretching. This strengthens my core. I find if I don’t do this, my muscles let go a little, and my back issues return. As I have become fitter and stronger, life becomes easier. I was at the point where I couldn’t get up off the lounge chair without using my hands, I could not get off the floor, and I could not roll over in bed. Now, I can just get up without struggle. It has been amazing.
Here’s Why Club Active is for YOU
The benefits you can expect from attending a Club Active facility is the guidance, encouragement and assistance you’ll receive to stay fit, healthy and mobile. This will enable you to enjoy your lifestyle for longer – whether that be playing golf, gardening, being able to pick their grandkids up or get down on the floor and play with them or go on holidays.
Check out the Club Active website here!
Worried about more than just your physical health? Read about mature onset addiction and how it can affect the people you love.
Editor for Silver Magazine Gold Coast
