‘Fit as a fiddle' is a national programme funded by the National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund and delivered by Age Concern. It aims to improve the health and wellbeing of older people, promoting physical activity, healthy eating and developing ‘active networks' for the over-50s. Read what Age Concern did.
Sevenoaks District Council, through its partners Sencio Community Leisure Trust and the local Age Concern branch embraced the concept. Sencio Leisure Centre in Sevenoaks had facilities for an over-50s circuit training class, and a pleasant café for socialising after the gym session.
Who is it for?
The active network is aimed at over-50s who may have never used a gym and want to learn how to use the equipment safely. One local resident said:
"My friend told me about the project. I have not done any exercise for years, but I feel great and I have also started to go swimming as well."
Why we set up the project
Many people had said they would like to be able to use the gym but were often put off the complex machines.
• Sencio Leisure Centre in Sevenoaks has a private area and can introduce people to gym equipment in a safe environment with qualified instructors.
• Older people often need a friend to go with: this project creates a social network for isolated individuals, who could then give each other support.
The changes we wanted to happen
• To reduce the barriers to using the gym and encourage a wider range of people to use the gym.
• Improve the quality of life of the participants through improving strength, cardiovascular fitness, flexibility and energy levels.
• To develop a social group that can help reduce social isolation and provide support to each other.
• To provide a wider range of activities, rather than just your traditional activities for older people.
• To empower people to continue using the gym and trying new activities they had previously not considered.
Why we chose this method
Circuit training provides a complete body workout in a safe environment, where fitness progression is easily seen by the participants.
What we did
‘Fit as a fiddle' is supporting eight free sessions for a maximum of 15 participants over the age of 50 at the Sencio Leisure Centre in Sevenoaks. Two qualified gym instructors led the participants in the sessions. All participants were screened before beginning the sessions to ensure they were medically fit to take part. The first sessions began with the instructors demonstrating the correct techniques in using the gym equipment. The participants then began the circuit on the equipment with close supervision.
As the weeks progressed the intensity and duration of the sessions increased. The participants level of fitness rose quickly, even though many had not exercised for years. The number of participants rose too. As the network started before Christmas, many potential members were busy with family commitments. Participant numbers grew from word-of-mouth: participants told their friends how much they enjoyed the sessions.
Participants have said that they would like to continue doing activities as a social group. After each session the participants go to the café and have a well-earned cup of tea and a chat. Due to the success of the project, evidenced by feedback from instructors and participants, Age Concern Sevenoaks is looking to continue the project for an additional four weeks.
Outcomes and impacts
All participants complete a monitoring form at the start of the project and an evaluation form at the final session. A ‘Fit as a fiddle' staff member visits the group to evaluate the progress of the group, speaking with the participants and instructors.
The project is a supported and sociable way of introducing a different type of physical activity to an older population.
Next steps
Age Concern Sevenoaks is to provide an additional four weeks of support to continue the programme, once the ‘Fit as a fiddle' support finishes. There are also talks with Sencio Leisure Centre to provide price concessions to continue the sessions. The gym instructors are also keen to continue and there is a possibility of finding other funding for the classes.
Contacts
Tory Lawrence, Healthy Lifestyle Coordinator
Age Concern West Sussex
telephone: 07901 635 033
email: tory.lawrence@acwestsussex.org
Author RSS Views:
Print this article
Ask about this article