Spring Forward Bootcamp is our Newest Senior Wellness Program

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Spring Forward Bootcamp is Shannondale Retirement Community's newest senior wellness program. It is setting the standard for senior wellness and community engagement. The program, held every Thursday in May, takes residents to the HGTV Overlook at Lakeshore Park to exercise, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and build a sense of community. Views are awe-inspiring, and the paved area serves as a safe platform for the residents to exercise. The first session was a big success with 18 residents participating and enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Shannondale Marketing Director Kim Golly shared her enthusiasm, “We love to see the residents experience the beautiful East TN weather and gather as a community all while keeping fitness in mind.”

Marching toward Wellness

The Bootcamp is led by Shannondale Wellness & Fitness Manager Sabrina Gray who guides residents through a low-impact workout and gentle walk. Sabrina designs these exercises to be accessible for all levels of physical fitness. She provides words of encouragement and reminders to opt out if a particular exercise doesn’t feel right or safe for their body. Sabrina welcomed the idea of planning something special and unique for the community. She shared that most of the low-impact exercises during the Bootcamp session were different from the usual class exercises except for marching in place. “We are always marching,” Sabrina said. She counted the repetitions for each move and joined in the exercises herself.

The residents’ have strong enthusiasm for the program. Participants embrace the Bootcamp exercises while doing modified lunges or taking synchronized steps up and down from a small ledge. Even physically fit individuals who regularly attend classes at The Lodge found the program to be a good experience. Francine Marasco lives independently in Shannondale’s Buckingham community. She was thrilled with the Bootcamp experience and emphatically shared, “Today was fantastic!  Now, I want to schedule one-on-one sessions with Sabrina.”

Boosts and Benefits

The benefits of exercise for seniors are well documented, with research indicating that exercise has a moderate to large effect on decreasing depression as highlighted in this recent article. Shannondale’s ongoing programming provides both physical and mental benefits, promoting the holistic well-being of its residents. One participant Claudia Fribourg revealed, “I was pleasantly surprised about this program. I am physically fit and do most of the exercise programs at The Lodge. Today’s event was a good experience, and I am anxiously awaiting next week.”

The Spring Forward Bootcamp not only encourages exercise and wellness but also builds a sense of community among the residents. After the exercise session concludes, the residents eat lunch together. This sense of community and engagement is essential for senior adults’ mental and emotional well-being. It’s also a testament to Shannondale’s dedication to holistic senior care. Karen Kibbe shared, “This was fun. I have been exercising for about 13 months. Sometimes it takes me a while, but I get it done.” With this type of determination and the encouragement of the Shannondale staff, the sky is the limit for residents.

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Lodge resident Mike Malarkey followed up the session by emailing Sabrina about the many benefits he received from the boot camp, “Thank you for Bootcamp today.  It was just right for me in several ways. The exercise took me right up to my limit. The social benefit was most enjoyable. I need this. “

Command Performance in the Works

In conclusion, Shannondale’s Spring Forward Bootcamp is an exemplary program that promotes senior wellness, builds a sense of community, and showcases the beauty of East Tennessee. It is a testament to the power of physical movement and fun for seniors’ quality of life.

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Furthermore, the Shannondale staff fiercely commits to bringing new ideas to life that support seniors' wellness and happiness. If you are interested in connecting yourself or a loved one with this thriving senior community, reach out to schedule a tour by contacting us here!