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Senior Surfers stay fit |
| With fitness after 50 as a theme, who better to spotlight than Hawaii’s senior surfers who trailblazed the way for today’s professionals to earn hundreds of thousands of dollars. Two are in the International Surfing Hall of Fame; several are board shapers and teachers. One runs the most prestigious pro surfing event in the world. One is a state senator and one is a woman. |
Fit after 50 |
| Two East Honolulu women stay in shape by running, paddling, swimming and competing. |
Fitness advice for seniors |
| Being healthy as we age is more than just eating right. It’s exercising regularly and getting medical checkups. Local health and fitness professionals offer guidelines to living the good life after 50. |
FEATURE:
Places where seniors can exercise
Seniors don’t have to join a gym to get regular exercise. Just walking with a friend is one way to exercise.
But for those who want structure, the Oahu Club in Hawaii Kai and the YMCA’s offer Silver Sneakers, a series of exercises designed for those ages 60 and older. SecureHorizons members can attend without joining since program is covered under their insurance.
Fit for Life sponsors a free Nordic Walking Clinic weekly at Kaka’ako Park (Diamond Head side). Meets 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday. For more information: 535-1550.
There also are free classes offered at area shopping centers:
Luk Tung Kuen classes are offered Wednesdays from 8 to 9 a.m. at the Waterfront Stage of Hawaii Kai Towne Center, 6700 Kalanianaole Highway at Keahole Street; Monday, Friday and Saturday from 8 to 9 a.m. at Center Court in Kahala Mall, 4211 Waialae Ave.; Monday-Friday from 5 to 7 a.m. on the upper deck of the parking structure and Tuesday-Friday from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on the upper deck of the parking structure at Windward Mall, 46-056 Kamahameha Highway, Kaneohe Members of the Hawaii branch of Luk Tung Kuen Worldwide Association offer these weekly classes incorporating 36 low-impact movement exercises designed to improve flexibility and circulation.
A Senior Walk Safe Program also meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 8 a.m. at Kahala Mall. Specially designed for seniors, the program helps improve body balance to prevent injury; helps develop breathing techniques that support the back and teaches simple movements to protect joints. To register for this program, call Cindy at 284-3540.
The City and County of Honolulu Parks and Recreation Department sponsors a series of exercise programs geared toward seniors. These meet in various city parks throughout Oahu. Some have a nominal fee to participate and most classes started in September and run through the end of the year, with a new series scheduled to begin in early 2008. More information is available from the various parks and community centers.
Following are some of the current offerings:
Minyo dance classes for ages 55 and older, weekly at Waipahu District Park.
Kenpo Karate for adults ages 17 to 55, Kamokila Community Park.
Water therapy for ages 18 to 90 and water walking for ages 18-86 at Kahala Community Park.
Beginning Tai Chi for ages 55 to 95, weekly at Waipahu District Park; Tai Chi for seniors, ages 55 and older at Pearl City District Park.
Walk for Health at Makiki District Park.
Rhythm and Life for ages 55 and older, weekly at Halawa District Park.
Senior swimming for ages 55-75, water exercise for ages 55-75 and water jogging for ages 55-75 meet weekly at Pearl City District Park Pool.
The Honolulu Gerontology Program, a service of Child and Family Service, has been providing exercise programs for seniors since 1980.
Currently there are two types of groups being offered:
Health Support meets at seven locations around Oahu in Kahala, Manoa, Nuuanu, Pearl City, Waipahu, Kailua and Kaneohe. The days and times vary, but sessions are twice a week for 1 1/2 hours. The exercise portion follows the Arthritis Foundation Exercise Routine for people with arthritis and is designed for these who are more frail. There is then 30 minutes of information, socialization and support for seniors.
No Fear of Falling (NFF) groups focus specifically on fall prevention. The groups meet three times per week for exercise and education specifically directed at preventing falls. Meetings are Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings in Kailua and afternoons in Kapalama.
The groups are free, with funding from the City and County of Honolulu’s Elderly Affairs Division (EAD). Further information or registration for classes may be made by calling Child and Family Service, The Honolulu Gerontology Program at 543-8468.