Maintaining good health is important at every age and this means eating well and being active. Exercising regularly boosts your odds of staying mentally healthy and remaining free of disease and disability. But when our bodies become a little less agile and our endurance may not be as endless as it was at age 21, which exercises are best? The team at Canada Bay Club has the tips and tricks to keep you fit and active for a full, long life – remember, always consult your physician to assess the right level of exercise that’s right for you.
Walking
Is there a cheaper, more accessible exercise than walking? We don’t think so. Walking is a low-impact activity that strengthens muscles, keeps weight steady, can alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and it can be done with friends! Our City of Canada Bay location boasts amazing walks. The Bay Walk is one of Sydney’s best waterside routes with a level pathway all the way round the 7km circuit. Read more about this popular track here: https://www.canadabayclub.com.au/article/bay-run-back-in-time
Cycling
What’s great about the Bay Walk is there’s a designated bike path all the way round, which makes it a great option for cyclists. As our body ages, cycling is a great aerobic exercise that gets the heart pumping and the joints moving, and has a low impact on the body. As well as the Bay Walk, the City of Canada Bay has loads of bike paths in the area, so you can incorporate your exercise while making your way around the neighborhood – head to the council website to find out where you can pedal your way to better health.
Tennis
Playing tennis, especially in social competitions, represents a great way to stay fit and engaged with your community. It’s a sport that can be played in doubles, which makes it ideal for groups of friends, and compared with other sports, tennis is associated with a lower risk of injury. It’s a sport that improves coordination and balance, so it can reduce the risk of falls and increase reaction times. The City of Canada Bay is chockfull of tennis courts and centres. This page on the council website lists many of the tennis courts, including Cintra Park Tennis Centre in Concord and Powells Creek Tennis in Strathfield.
Bowls
Canada Bay Club offers indoor bowls on Tuesday nights at 7.30pm in the Auditorium, but if fresh air and green lawns are your preference, there are plenty of clubs that offer lawn bowls in the area. Bowls is another low-impact sport that offers the social interaction that many individual sports don’t.
Seniors’ fitness at Canada Bay Club
Let a qualified instructor guide your exercise routine by sweating away with the dynamic Senior’s Exercise Class at Canada Bay Club. Our energetic classes are customised for all levels of fitness, so enjoy working up a sweat to great music with fellow club members. The classes are on Mondays from 7pm and Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10.15am.
Swimming and water aerobics
There are plenty of picturesque pools in the City of Canada Bay, from Drummoyne Swimming Centre to Cabarita Swimming Centre, which boasts some of the best views in Sydney. (Read more about the history of these baths here.) Both these pools and others in the area offer water aerobics classes that combine cardiovascular activity with strength training for a low-impact, full body workout. The water’s natural resistance offers a natural strength training advantage. Most water aerobics classes occur in shallow water, so no need to worry if you’re not a strong swimmer. Local swim groups like Drummoyne Swim Club offers classes, as well as swimming comps and groups for all ages.
Golf
Golf is one of the most popular sports for seniors, given its relaxing pace and ability to travel around the golf course in buggies if necessary. Massey Park Golf Club in Concord sits right on Exile Park and boasts gorgeous views of the city skyline. Inner West’s top golf club Barnwell Park happens to be right next door to Canada Bay Club. Every Sunday morning, a team from Canada Bay Club hits the greens and plays a round at this waterside spot. Head to Canada Bay Club’s reception to discover how to join the club’s team. Or visit Barnwell Park’s club to find out more.
Dancing
Keep your groove tight and your moves right by dancing into your older age. Canada Bay Club offers Ceroc Dancing every Thursday night from 7.30pm. What’s Ceroc Dancing? Hailing from France, it’s a smooth partner dance combining a modern Jive, ballroom and swing moves. No need to bring a partner (but you’re very welcome to) and get ready to move around the dance floor to the upbeat music. Whether you’re a beginner or a dancing veteran, there’s room for everyone.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a low-impact, relaxing form of exercise that rewards you with a calm mind and reduced anxiety, while focusing on mental and spiritual health integrated into movement. Canada Bay Club offers classes on Wednesdays at 10.15am with Grandmaster Gary Khor, who is the president of the Australian Academy of Tai Chi. Gary has trained more than 1000 instructors and taught more than 200,000 students in the last 29 years.
