New Fitness Center
St. Monica’s New Fitness Center
by Loretta Baxter, Executive Director
Community Member, Helen Taylor pictured above, is enjoying the new recumbent bicycle, but her favorite is the parallel bars.
St. Monica’s new Fitness Center is up and running and community members are finding the new, “NuStep” recumbent bicycles easy and fun to use. The Fitness Center has weights to use and an elliptical machine. The upgrades and new equipment were funded through our annual golf outing. A special thank-you goes out to all our donors.
If you have not been to the Fitness Center, come check it out. It is located on the lower level by Dr. Pothen’s office in the South Wing next to the Atrium.
There are many reasons to exercise and everyone has different motivations. A well-known effect of aging is the gradual reduction of muscle function, which also reduces performance in the activities of daily living. Recent research has shown that even among the very elderly, exercise can improve not only strength and endurance, but also balance and mobility thus reducing the risk of falls. Lifelong exercise can counteract the effects associated with aging of the neuro-muscular system. *
If you need assistance with the machines or help designing an exercise program, contact Shannon or Joan from Life Engagement at 262-639-5050 ext. 135. They will assist you or will contact Kelly Bardosy, visiting physical therapist from Ascension, to set up an exercise plan for you.
*Effects of Strength and Endurance Training on Skeletal Muscles in the Elderly. New Muscles for Old. By J. Lexell, Lakartidningen (Swedish Journal), 96 (3) 207-9. 1999, January 20th.
