Left Hooks to Downward Dogs, We Have the Right Program for You. From our home, to yours – virtually!

There are just so many online courses to choose from at the Cummings Centre, a unique community organization based in Montreal offering 170+ online programs specifically designed for older adults 50 years of age and older.

Online Workouts Keep Cummings Members Moving & Grooving!

With the colder months upon us, it is easy to give in to the desire to curl up with a blanket, grab a good book and stay warm. Fitness programs on Zoom make it easy for older adults to stay physically active in the comfort of their own home or even traveling down south.

The Cummings Centre’s online Wellness Programs emphasize fitness that is functional, fun, and related to everyday movement and highlight brain health, strength, balance, posture, and flexibility. The focus is on empowering and maintaining good general health and enhanced quality of life as well as prevention of falls and back and joint problems and the rehabilitation of injuries.

“Participants can choose from over 50 classes- from Boxing Interval Fitness and Abs & Back Strengthening to Tai Chi and Seated Chair Yoga- no matter the participant’s fitness level, we have a program for them. We also offer programs for individuals with movement disorders such as Parkinson’s, MS or Post-Stroke,” said Maria Fragapane, Supervisor, Wellness Programs at Cummings Centre. “This winter, we introduced several new dance classes including Line Dancing on Monday mornings, Broadway Boogie on Tuesday mornings and Dance to the Rhythm on Thursday afternoons. These upbeat cardiovascular-driven workouts are even more important during the winter months and the added isolation brought on by the continuing pandemic,” said Fragapane.

Freda Segal, a regular participant in the Cummings Centre’s online Dance to the Rhythm classes, says these classes play an important role in her life. “The music is wonderful and makes you want to move,” said Segal. “The moves are not that difficult. They repeat but not to the point of boredom, as there are subtle changes here and there throughout the routine to keep you sufficiently motivated. Every week, the same music and moves are performed, so you end up really knowing what to do. At the end of the class, you are really sweating.”

“Dance is two-fold: it is aerobic in nature and great for coordination and agility, all the while helping work your heart and lung system,” said Fragapane, also Supervisor of the Adapted Clinic at Cummings Centre. “It is also pleasurable and involves fun music. You often don’t think you are exercising because there is such a high enjoyment level.”

For those who may have two left feet, Cummings offers classes to improve balance and mobility, strength, and cardio to get your heart pumping. In addition to the dance-centered classes, the Cummings Centre is continuing its popular Walking Workout classes. The walks are offered in distances of both 2-kilometres and 3-kilometres.

Kenneth Forse is a regular participant at Cummings Centre’s walking workout sessions. In addition to the physical fitness and health element associated with the cardio workouts, Forse says he also appreciates the camaraderie aspect of these group courses conducted over Zoom. “These classes go well beyond losing weight and gaining muscle,” said Forse. “They offer physical and mental benefits as well as friendships. Exercising with my companions in a group has many upsides. I have found that I tend to stick more faithfully with my group exercise classes than if I were in a solo fitness routine.”

Fragapane encourages others to join either the walking or dance workouts this winter over Zoom, a platform that has its advantages for those perhaps self-conscious about their abilities. “You don’t have to feel intimidated by the person standing next to you,” said Fragapane. “When you are in a room with a bunch of people who are super-coordinated, you may feel stressed. When you are online, people aren’t looking at you and it really doesn’t matter if you make mistakes. The idea is that you are moving and grooving.”

To learn more about the Cummings Centre and to browse programs, click here or call 514.343.3510.