“Train hard, push one another, celebrate health, and live life to the fullest.”
The repetitive, loud thud of bumper plates hitting the ground picks up speed as teammates cheer each other on. Pumping beats of EDM music accompany the coach’s commands. The coach hovers over the athletes, insisting in an assertive but encouraging tone, “Just One More Rep!” As the circuit ends, the next station awaits, and the groups take a second to rejoice in whatever small sip of water they can gulp before starting the next round of intense circuit training.
This must be the agony of preseason days as football players train for the demands of an upcoming season. Not at all. Instead, it is the regular Tuesday weight training circuit class at Toronto’s Variety Village, the experience of a keen and pleasant group of retired ladies.
These ladies are crushing deadlifts, hitting power cleans, and reaching personal records on the rower while smiling, laughing, and cheering one another on. In previous generations, this action might have been reserved for a serious, competitive, and (let’s face it) younger group of athletes. Scratch that image! This group of committed fitness enthusiasts has an important outcome in mind–consistent practice and training for optimum functional fitness.
They are discovering that a correctly performed deadlift helps them pick up a bag of groceries to put into a car trunk, a well-performed deadlift can help move weight safely while adding strength, and a coach-instructed, in-sequence squat helps create the muscle memory for reaching down and picking up something from the ground. Bottom line? Solid training teaches how to perform movements correctly, confidently, and (most importantly) without injury. Plus, the social element of group training means encouraging each other to push harder and keep improving.
PERSONAL TESTIMONIES: Anne W. said, “I feel stronger, sleep better, and have a more positive outlook. My blood pressure is also better controlled.” Vicki T., who trains at All in One Strength and Conditioning in Toronto, chimed in with this: “There is a sense of community, and we challenge and motivate each other.” Vicki played sports earlier in life, and today, she incorporates five days of group classes into her weekly routine. Janet N. told me that she “feels stronger and can do most daily activities much more easily. Benefits include having “better balance and posture and feeling stronger.” Ruth L. asserted that her commitment to the fitness group enabled her to get in better shape to enjoy a recent trip to Egypt. Gail A. and Janet N. feel they have “definitely noticed feeling stronger and more flexible.”
And why not? According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), “Regular activity can positively impact physical/mental health and emotional well-being.” It can give participants more energy and self-confidence, enabling them to embrace their later years with gusto.
Through their commitment to themselves and their friends, this amazing group of fitness enthusiasts shows how a team-based fitness approach contributes to better health and develops meaningful friendships. Their motto rings true: “Train hard, push one another, celebrate health, and live life to the fullest.”
