AFTER having major spinal surgery last year, Mandurah resident Dee Bickley has found a way to ease back into exercise through the Council on the Ageing’s Living Longer Living Stronger program.
After hearing about the program through a friend, Mrs Bickley decided to register and is now more than a month into the classes.
“Prior to my injuries, I led an active life with golfing, bike riding and other recreation activities,” Mrs Bickley said.
“But before my operation I lost muscle tone, my level of fitness dropped and my core strength was way off where it should have been.
“Living Longer Living Stronger is a very admirable program and it’s improved my quality of life. I have regained muscle tone, core strength and overall fitness.”
The program is designed for people with medium to high risk health conditions and each participant is individually assessed for a program to suit their needs.
Once assessed, programs are tailored to include a range of cardio, and resistance training and weight bearing exercises.
Previously, only Tier 2 of the two-tiered exercise program had been offered at Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre (MARC) and City of Mandurah Recreation Centre, Halls Head.
With funding from the Federal Government’s Healthy Communities Initiative, the City’s Healthy Active Mandurah campaign has provided funding for Tier 1, allowing the program to be extended to help people who need the most support at a low cost.
The City’s Healthy Active Mandurah initiative has now partnered with local company Accelerate Exercise Rehabilitation to deliver Tier 1 training to participants.
Company founder and exercise physiologist Clinton Joynes runs the program at the MARC.
“In Tier 1 of the program, the participant is assessed one-on-one by a qualified exercise physiologist and a tailored program is developed from there,” Mr Joynes said.
“Once the participant is confident with the exercises, they move on to Tier 2 with a personal trainer in small groups.”
Mrs Bickley is currently in Tier 1 of Living Longer Living Stronger and enjoys the fact the program lets her go at her own pace.
“With the resistance training, there is no strain on your body, and the trainers assess how you’re progressing before you move on to Tier 2,” she said.
“This program is great for anyone who has had a major injury or health condition and who would like to get back into exercising and a healthy lifestyle.”
Call the City’s Recreation Centres on 9550 3600 or go to http://www.cotawa.org.au/ programs-projects/physical-activity/living-longer-living-stronger/
http://mandurah.inmycommunity.com.au/news-and-views/local-news/Going-back-to-basics/7638594/
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