A Knutsford-based fitness class has been created to encourage older peoples’ engagement in physical activity by combatting barriers to fitness.
Rocking Chairs, founded by trained osteopath Ariana Torti in May this year, uses a ramp-up-to-fitness approach to make exercise more accessible and achievable for the elderly.
Most older people are physically inactive, participating in less than 30 minutes of weekly moderate activity, according to Age UK.
Ariana said: “I saw a lot of patients who struggled with exercise.
“So, I train with them in my room, and I wanted to take this to the community.
“I wanted to make it an opportunity for a bit of fitness and show them it’s doable and that you don’t have to be on a mat or on the first floor of a gym class.”
The light and achievable exercises aim to overcome older people’s fears of falling, lack of motivation and inability to participate in fitness due to health conditions.
Group classes provide older people with a community where they can socialise and encourage each other to have the confidence to push themselves physically.
