A resident of Rand Aid’s Elphin Lodge retirement village is encouraging fellow residents to get up and moving during the coronavirus lockdown.
With outdoor exercise now allowed before 9am, Nan Clarke, a South African Seniors Fitness Association instructor, has set up an exercise circuit for fellow residents to enjoy.
Exercise stations are situated at five of the complex’s outdoor benches. Participants are given a map showing the location of the benches and what type of exercise should be done at each bench, plus movement instructions which are designed to work on warming up, breathing and balance, stretching, flexibility, cardio and cooling down.
Social distancing during exercising is in place and only two people may use an exercise station at any given time.
Nan has been working one-on-one with some of the residents, showing them how to do the exercises correctly. She says the circuit takes about an hour.
She encourages more residents to take part, as exercising with a friend – albeit a distance apart – is a lot more fun than doing it alone.
“It is a wonderful opportunity to get moving during this time of lockdown and to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine in a safe environment,” says Debbie Christen, Rand Aid Manager: Recreational Programmes.
Elphin Lodge residents Nan Clarke (left) and Dorothy Ainscow (right) enjoy their exercises at Station 3.
The diagram showing the locations of the exercise stations.
