How we exercise might change as we age, but staying active remains a pivotal piece in our overall health. With Physical Wellness being an essential element of our award-winning Vibrant Living model, it’s no surprise that we place a lot of emphasis on staying active, providing an array of ways and options for residents to get their move on. We utilize different tools and technology to ensure residents can meet their goals in a safe and comfortable environment. Continue reading to learn more about some of the methods and equipment we implement.
P.A.T.H
Residents are invited to participate in Vibrant Living’s Performance and Ability Testing for Health (PATH). This annual review paints a picture of each resident's current physical wellness, indicating areas of strength and detecting areas for improvement. Following the assessment, residents receive a personalized report outlining how their scores compare to national norms and previous results.    Then, our fitness team meets with residents to review their results and assist in developing SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely) goals, creating a physical activity plan, giving an equipment orientation, and recommending fitness classes specific to their needs.
CyberCycle
While CyberCycles may be stationary bikes, they feel like the real thing. Users can steer and shift just like an outdoor bike, with resistance and difficulty automatically adjusting to the on-screen terrain. Breton Woods residents rode well over 23,000 miles on the CyberCycle bikes (up from 18,000 in 2022). We’re excited to now have these in all three of our fitness facilities! Recently, residents from Breton Woods placed first in the CyberCycle league out of 195 teams.   Did you know? CyberCycling has been shown to delay the onset of Alzheimer's and dementia better than traditional exercise.
HUR Strength Training Equipment
In 2020, we brought HUR Strength Training Equipment to our fitness facility at Breton Woods. Designed to support active aging, a single swipe of a fob will automatically load the resident's training program and adjust the seat and resistance settings. HUR equipment uses an alternative form of strength training called Natural Transmission, which simulates the body's natural movement and is easier on the joints and muscles than traditional strength training equipment.
Finding New Ways to Improve Our Residents’ Fitness
Our fitness team always prioritizes staying current with the latest trends and research. When possible, they implement technologies, tools, and techniques that reflect these latest findings. Our CyberCycles and HUR strength equipment reflect our goal of making physical activity accessible and enjoyable for aging adults—no matter where they are on their fitness journey.