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CROSS TRAINING: Variety is the spice of life for active older adults

February 26, 2009 / Reprinted with permission of Chagrin Valley/Solon Times

Whether you’re an Olympic athlete, a fitness buff, or just an average person hoping to improve your overall fitness level, the benefits of cross training are clear—total body fitness, reduced risk of injury, and an added psychological boost to keep you motivated.

Experts agree, people at any age can "spice up" their fitness routines by building the fundamentals of cross training—aerobics, strength training, and flexibility—into their weekly workouts.

At Laurel Lake Retirement Community in Hudson, easy access to fitness facilities and an exciting mix of wellness programs has inspired many residents to adopt a cross training fitness routine – some by design, others simply by continuing activities they've enjoyed for years, and adding a few more.

Helen Mainelli, 73, a retired professor of theology and spirituality, is a perfect example.

"My husband and I were members of a health club and used to walk every day," Helen says. "After his death, I took a job with much longer hours. Exercise became routine and really fell by the wayside."

That all changed when Helen moved from the Chicago area to Laurel Lake in 2006. Now she works out five times a week. She swims, does Laurel Lake’s strength training circuit, walks on the treadmill, and enjoys taking stretching, dance aerobics and aquasize classes with her neighbors.

"I’m feeling stronger than I have in quite some time," Helen says. "I come out of the pool and feel refreshed."

In fact, Laurel Lake’s Fitness Club caters perfectly to the unique requirements of active adults age 55+, promoting lifelong health and wellness. Membership is open to all Laurel Lake residents and Priority Club members, with a wide range of classes designed to improve strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, cardiovascular fitness and other health indicators.

Residents have their pick of 27 invigorating fitness programs, including nine new ways to get in shape this spring:

• Stick Striders – Also known as "Nordic walking," Laurel Lake’s new walking club improves core strength through the use of hand-held walking poles.

• Laurel Lake Buckeye Trail Challenge – Team challenge uses pedometers to log steps and virtually "hike" the 1,444 mile Buckeye Trail.

• Conductorcize – A symphony performance, music history lesson and aerobics workout all rolled into one.

• Wii Fitness - The popular Nintendo console challenges players with virtual golf, tennis, bowling, yoga, strength training, and aerobic exercises.

• Kickin’ It Up – Motivating music and low-impact aerobics to boost energy, stamina and burn calories.

• Band Sculpt – Strengthening and toning with Thera-bands®.

• Stretched & Stable – Static and dynamic stretching for flexibility, balance and relaxation.

• Golf Ready – Sports clinic for lower-scoring, injury-free golf.

• Yoga Meditation – A very relaxing and gentle version of the ancient art form.

Wellness amenities on campus include an exercise/lap pool and therapy spa; a fitness room equipped with state-of-the-art Keiser compressed-air resistance machines, treadmills, bikes and Nu-Steps; shower and changing rooms with towel service; massage therapy and other services.

Laurel Lake’s Wellness Team has also grown with the addition of fitness coach Jill Rango, a 22-year veteran certified as a Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), and a Golf Biomechanic through the CHEK Institute in San Diego.

"Every day, we see people in their 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s who are actively taking charge of their health," says Susan Busko, a certified senior fitness specialist and Laurel Lake’s wellness manager.

"With so much available on campus, it’s easy to dive right in."

Now celebrating its 20^th Anniversary, Laurel Lake Retirement Community offers multiple home styles within a scenic 150-acre campus in Hudson. The community is part of the Catholic Healthcare Partners family of senior living and healthcare organizations.  For information, call 1-866-650-2100 or visit www.laurellake.org.