Older adults stay stronger longer with Ageless Fitness

When Carol Norman signed up for small-group training, she envisioned it helping her with the goal to age gracefully. She had seen her parents age and lose balance and strength, making them more susceptible to falls.

“I decided that I wanted physical activity to be part of my routine. I like to ride the bike trails in Lewes. I like to walk on the beaches. I want to keep enjoying these activities,” said Norman, a retired government employee who lives in Lewes. 

At 58, and as a result of a new transformational program known as Ageless Fitness of Sussex County, she feels like she’s well on her way. Since joining the program in July, she has built muscles, balance and endurance. She also has lost a few pounds. More importantly, she feels stronger and more energetic.

Norman is seeing the benefits of small-group training sessions that help older adults maximize their physical and cognitive functions. Ageless Fitness of Sussex County uses a national evidence-based training philosophy that understands the aging process and debunks the acceptance that age brings declining physical ability.

“Science has proven that there is absolutely no physical reason why muscular strength should decline to the point that older adults can’t do what they need, want and love to do,” said Sharon Padbury, co-founder of Ageless Fitness of Sussex County along with Jackie Sullivan, who is the executive director of Village Volunteers, an organization helping older adults live independently. Both are dedicated to promoting healthy aging.

The program is located within Anytime Fitness, 17400 N. Village Main Blvd. in Lewes. Ageless Fitness of Sussex is certified to deliver this programming by the Functional Aging Institute. All trainers have earned the title of functional aging specialist.

Ageless fitness incorporates six domains of function into weekly workout exercises, which challenge neuromuscular fitness, cardiorespiratory endurance, cognitive brain health, balance, mobility and musculoskeletal strength. Trainer Katie Gerber is a functional aging specialist.

The functional training, which focuses on everyday movement patterns, allows participants to more easily reach, bend, lean, turn, twist, stoop and change directions.

Padbury said 21-day trial memberships are available. Participants can then sign up for three-month, six-month or one-year programs. Most people need six months to see functional improvements, she said.

Marianna “Moo” Dyal, 76, of Lewes enjoys the specialized training. Initially, Dyal’s daughter encouraged her to attend. “She said, ‘Mom, you’ve got four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren, you’ve got to keep up.’”

Dyal said she is glad she joined. “I feel a lot stronger. The strength in my legs, my arms, my tummy...I feel quite a bit of improvement,” she said.

Padbury said the reality is that most people let their strength and function decline by becoming less active and fit. “We’re starting to see more people who want to rethink their future and want to maintain an active lifestyle for the rest of their lives,” Padbury said. “They aspire to feel ageless, and they’re the ones who are coming to us.”

To learn more about Ageless Fitness of Sussex County, go to agelessfitnesssussex.com.