Balsam Belles and Rodber Ravers ‘flexercise’ their muscles for others
16 January 2006

Two groups of residents from sheltered housing schemes in Wincanton have been ‘flexercising’ their muscles for others to see. The residents who live at Rodber Gardens sheltered housing scheme and Balsam Close sheltered housing scheme have been going out to other schemes to show them their exercise routine in the hope that others may start their own classes too.

They visited Catherine’s Close sheltered housing scheme in Castle Cary where 16 of the residents watched their display and then took part in a class. The exercises are referred to as chair aerobics, which means that even those residents that are less able than the others are still able to take part. The equipment that is used, such as the balls and parachutes, are brightly coloured so that those with sight impairments can see them and so are also able to take part.

Pictured here all the residents from Catherine Close who took part in the
‘flexercise class

Camilla Sloan, Scheme Manager at Rodber Gardens said, “The residents from both schemes absolutely love doing their ‘flexercise’ classes each week. The classes are great as they help get the muscles working that the residents may not use very often. It can help with general aches and pains that some of our residents may experience.”

After the exercise classes the scheme puts on a buffet lunch for the residents as a way of promoting healthy eating as well as exercise.

Maureen Scott, Scheme Manager at Catherines Close said, “The residents thoroughly enjoyed the exercise class and we so we are definitely going to set up our own class at the scheme.”

The Balsam belles and Rodber Ravers with Carol Glass (Scheme Manager, Balsam Close) back row, 2nd from the left and Camilla Sloan (Scheme Manager, Rodber Gardens, Wincanton) back row, far right llen@ssh.co