Staying Fit

With so much change happening in our daily lives in recent months, the importance of taking stock of one’s own health and wellness needs has been receiving renewed interest. With help from the Cummings Centre’s live on Zoom exercise classes, participants age 50 and over, can now benefit from Cummings signature fitness classes all from the comfort and convenience of one’s own home.

“We had to rethink the way we offer our wide-range of classes while at the same time meet the needs of our members,” says Annette Vezina, co-supervisor of wellness programs at the Cummings Centre. “The enthusiasm with which participants have responded, embracing a new way of keeping fit, has been overwhelming and heart-warming.”

The popularity of the online classes is attributed to offering Cummings classics such as aerobic dance, cardio/strength and brain training intervals, emphasizing physical movement, balance, posture and flexibility along with new introductions, suitable for online participation. Members appreciate the exercise classes designed to service a range of fitness levels giving everyone an option to work out at their own pace and meet their fitness goals and needs.

Orit Grunberg, 55, prioritizes her Cummings fitness classes every day of the week. Her schedule includes Abs & Back Strengthening, Morning Cardio and a mix of interval training. “The exercises are progressively challenging and offer adaptation depending on the level you are at,” says Grunberg. “The approach is holistic, focusing on mind and body, coordination, endurance, flexibility, agility, balance and strength. The classes energize me in the morning and throughout the day. The teachers have a phenomenal knowledge that reflects in the exercises that they demonstrate on a daily basis.”

Fitness participants also enjoy the socializing aspect of the live Zoom classes. They join in prior to the start of class to interact and chat, sharing comments and concerns they may have with each other and the instructors. “Our classes not only deliver exercise programs, they also provide the much needed social component,” notes Vezina.

With so many trying to bring a sense of normalcy in these challenging times, the feedback the Centre has received has been positive, with many adopting and mastering the technology needed to partake in fitness classes. Isa Karen Snow recently joined the Centre, taking classes remotely from her home in Westchester County, New York. With family residing in Montreal, the feeling of connection is also appreciated. “The strong sense of community is what everyone needs during these trying times,” says Snow.

For people who require a more personalized approach to exercise, Personal Training on Zoom is available with one of the Centre’s certified kinesiologists. During a one-hour online session, participants are guided through a series of specific, functional and personalized exercises to help them attain their fitness and health goals.

The Cummings Centre’s mission is to empower and enhance the quality of life of adults age 50 and over by providing dynamic and innovative programs, social services and volunteer opportunities in a vibrant, respectful, inclusive and compassionate environment. Building on its Jewish heritage, Cummings embraces people from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. To start exercising today and learn about the full program offering contact Annette Vezina 514.734.1782, or log onto cummingscentre.org.