Strength for Life, an evidence-based strength program that helps keep older adults independent for longer, is expanding. This is a sponsored post.

STRENGTH for Life, an evidence-based strength training program to help keep adults over 50 independent for longer, is expanding its provider locations across Canberra, says Council on the Ageing (COTA) ACT Strength for Life co-ordinator, Diane Percy.

The program is now featured at six service-provider locations in an independent retirement village, a fitness centre, physio clinics and a community centre.

The program aims to help older people who are inactive or not active enough to improve their strength, balance, co-ordination and flexibility, while socialising with like-minded people in their local community, Diane says.

The program is designed to help people over the age of 50, and Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people over the age of 40, to improve their strength and physical fitness.

“The benefits of the strength-based training program are huge, such as improving balance, strength and co-ordination, which in turn can help to reduce the risk of falling or reduce the severity of a fall if it does happen,” she says.

For older adults, Diane recommends that strength-training activities should include exercises for all the major muscle groups, at least twice weekly, to achieve health benefits.

Diane says other benefits are the potential to improve posture, mobility and flexibility, and importantly, the opportunity to meet other people and remain socially connected.

“This program provides that connection that has been missing for so many people through the pandemic, and Strength for Life classes can help both body and mind in that regard,” says Diane.

While unable to provide face-to-face training during lockdown, the Strength for Life team has been looking at ways to continue to support participants to do physical activity from home.

COTA ACT has been offering a live class via Facebook on Thursdays at 1pm, and while it’s not an online version of Strength for Life, the exercise session showcases exercises that can be done in a face-to-face program. The online sessions have been very successful, with people from all over Australia and internationally joining in on the sessions, Diane says.

In person, Strength for Life classes can be accessed at Capital Rehabilitation Professionals in Phillip, LDK Greenway Views in Tuggeranong, SportsTec Clinic in Kingston, Alive Health Clubs in Narrabundah, COTA ACT in Hughes and at Higher Function Physio & Pilates in Civic.

Diane says the classes are affordable, on-going and personalised, with a maximum of 15 participants in every class, depending on location and space.

“We will all be complying with ACT government COVID-19 recommendations and, as we are working with older adults, it’s an extremely important part of how we deliver this program into the future,” says Diane.

“We want our participants to know that they are coming into a safe and supportive environment.”

The program offers two tiers for participants, Tier 1 classes are delivered by exercise physiologists or physiotherapists, for participants who may be at higher risk due to particular health issues, and Tier 2 classes are delivered by qualified personal trainers who are accredited Strength for Life instructors.

An initial fitness assessment is conducted before starting the program and an individualised program will be developed for each participant.

The Strength for Life classes are delivered in a group setting, with everyone participating in a group-based warm up, then each participant will be doing their own personalised program with supervision from their instructor.

“And just as important, we want it to be fun!” Diane says.

For more information, visit cotaact.org.au/programs/s4l