Eventually, most of us go through a period where we don’t feel great.
As the years pass, injuries happen, physical changes sneak up on us, and at times our plans just … don’t go as planned. Staying active or resuming activity during these times can be challenging.
When life events create challenges to maintaining an active lifestyle, it’s good to know that Saanich Recreation staff are here to help get us back on our feet. As the saying goes, “exercise is medicine.”
In the past year, recreation and fitness staff have undertaken specialized training, including workshops on exercise to support obstructive lung disease, diabetes, atrial fibrillation, and more.
Within Saanich’s four recreation centres are experienced staff, including two nurses and several exercise physiologists, who offer specialized programs to help with arthritis, heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and many of the conditions that can make daily activity challenging.
If you or someone you know is struggling to get or stay active, you may benefit from one of the many Saanich Recreation programs offered to support healthy movement for everyone:
Take Heart and Breathe Well – A medically supervised program for people with heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, impaired kidney function, and other medical concerns. The program helps participants learn how to exercise safely and with confidence, understand their symptoms, and increase cardiovascular capacity and efficiency. Referral from a doctor or nurse practitioner is required.
Chronic Pain/Mild Movement class –A safe mild exercise class for people living with chronic pain, fibromyalgia or for people looking for gentle physical activity in a group setting. Chair options available.
GLA:D program for Arthritis – Taught by a physiotherapist, this evidence-based class is designed to improve function and alleviate pain for people with hip and knee osteoarthritis.
Build Better Bones – Build and maintain your bone strength, while working on fall prevention and reducing the risk of fractures through the development of core strength, balance exercises and proper posture.
Easy Fit - Ease slowly and safely back into a gentle fitness routine. This class focuses on gradually improving your ability to move as the fitness instructor leads the class through easy strengthening and balance-building exercises. Includes 20+ minutes of standing (chair optional) exercises.
And, coming this fall to Saanich recreation centres:
FAME program for stroke recovery – Developed at UBC, FAME is a group exercise program developed for people with stroke who have some standing and walking ability. This program has been proven to improve mobility, cardiovascular fitness, and arm and hand function in people who have had a stroke.
Moving Beyond Cancer - Exercise has been proven to improve symptoms related to cancer at every stage of treatment and recovery. This supportive class works with you where you are, offering modifications to keep you moving.
It's rare to get through life without a few health hiccups — some big, some small. What’s important is to keep moving despite these challenges, and to use the resources that are available for all ages, bodies and experiences. Remember that your local Saanich recreation and fitness professionals are here to help you get moving and stay moving.
If you have questions about what might be best for your specific circumstances, please contact a fitness programmer at your local Saanich recreation center.