This workshop equips fitness professionals with the skills and knowledge to safely and effectively design exercise programs for older adults. It explores the aging process, highlighting how physiological and psychological changes impact exercise programming, delivery, and outcomes. The course focuses on falls prevention, memory improvement, and motor skill management, preparing trainers to support older clients’ health, independence, and quality of life.
Theory covers key areas, including the benefits of exercise, communication strategies, aging effects on the cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems, resistance and cardiovascular training, and comprehensive screening and assessment protocols. Trainers also learn the value of balance, coordination, and cognitive engagement exercises, as well as the role of personal trainers within the medical referral network.
Practical sessions apply theory through resistance and cardiovascular training, functional movements, balance and coordination drills, mobility exercises, and memory-enhancing activities. Creative fitness games and non-traditional equipment—balloons, bean bags, soft balls, and reaction balls—make sessions fun, engaging, and social.
Assessment includes multiple-choice quizzes and a final practical task where participants design and deliver a safe, creative exercise program one-on-one with a fellow attendee.
By completion, trainers will confidently deliver safe, effective, and enjoyable programs that improve older adults’ health, wellbeing, and independence.
