A sporting organisation in Ōtautahi has engaged the local community with a fun, engaging and interactive new offering designed specifically for over 60’s.

Passionate about the fundamental movement skills the sport of gymnastics incorporates, Olympia Gymnastics, created a gymnastics class for older adults.

The class began at the end of July and runs at 10.45am on Wednesday mornings in Wigram. It has so far seen a reasonable amount of interest from the local community with the highest number of participants at eight before the latest lockdown. Since then, the class has returned at Level 2 and is once again beginning to build momentum.

Olympia Recreation Manager, Melissa Wakeham was the driving force behind the start-up of this class. 

“A change in strategy was the instigator for this class, we wanted to look at focusing more on community-based programmes and how we could support different areas of the community. Our goal was to have a programme for everyone to access and one gap that was missing was an older adult’s programme,” says Wakeham.

Sport Canterbury’s Community Strength and Balance project Lead, Rebecca Logan worked alongside Olympia’s Melissa Wakeham to not only ensure this class meets the needs of older adults but to help promote the class to the community.

“When we began working with Rebecca Logan, it was highlighted that falls prevention is something that is needed - and there wasn’t anyone running one specifically for gymnastics. There are so many aspects of the fundamental movement patterns within gymnastics that could benefit balance and stability for the older population.

“It was a fun challenge to think about how we could put this together - something a little bit different, something new but something that could serve the community really well. Rebecca gave us more information about the Live Stronger for Longer project and what to include in the programme. This helped us connect the dots and realise this would actually be really good for the community,” she adds. 

The regular participants are enjoying the challenge and the opportunity to build their strength in this specific type of class not offered elsewhere in Ōtautahi.

“I come along to these classes to work on my balance – I’ve noticed that as I’ve got older, my balance has gone downhill. A few years ago, I had a fall and broke my arm and have osteoporosis, I don’t want to have a fall again,” says participant Anne.

Olympia Instructor, Becky Morrison has also enjoyed working with a different age-group than who she usually coaches and instructs 

“I like working with a different age group, we’ve only offered young people and children’s classes previously, but to work with an older adult population. I really enjoy seeing the progress each week through the balance exercises and the social confidence they gain.

“I think it’s important for older adults to keep their power up and their balance up because as they get older it can start to deteriorate a little bit, so classes like these can keep the balance and prevent falls from happening, or injuries from a fall at home,” adds Morrison.

Becky’s time running this class is coming to an end as she takes on a fulltime roll at ACC, however, Olympia Competitive Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Coach, Patrick Smith will be taking over from her to lead this class.

Live Stronger for Longer is a nationwide project launched in 2017. One of the goals of the project is to creates and grows access to accredited strength and balance classes across New Zealand. Currently there are over 200 accredited classes within the Canterbury District Health Board region, including the class at Olympia Gymnastics. Accredited classes work to improve and individual’s strength and balance, supporting our kaumātua to stay living independently and injury free in their own homes. 

Contact Olympia Gymnastic Sports - Click here 

Article added: Wednesday 13 October 2021