What is Active Aging Week?
Active Aging Week celebrates the positive aspects of aging by providing older adults with opportunities to engage in wellness activities and exercise in a safe, supportive environment, promoting the benefits of healthy, active lifestyles throughout the lifespan.
Staying active can help prevent heart disease, stroke, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and premature death and help you stay independent longer. It can help improve your balance and reduce falls and injuries. It can also provide important opportunities for connection and promote positive mental health.
Visit Free During Active Aging Week
Adults ages 55+ enjoy free drop-in access at all 4 Community Hubs during Active Aging Week, September 30 - October 6. View our hub schedules for drop-in programs included with your visit.
Seniors are Welcome at the Y
Y Winnipeg makes health, fitness, social wellbeing and mental health support accessible to older adults. Senior (65-79) and Super Senior (80+) memberships are offered at a lower price than memberships for adults typically in their working years. As well, over $2 Million in membership assistance for seniors who could not otherwise afford to participate has been provided in the last 10 years.
Activities for All
Helping people maintain mobility and physical fitness as they age means having a range of activity options so everyone can find their way to shine. Included one-on-one FitMe sessions help members find the exercise routine best suited to their unique needs. As an older adult, you should aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. Anything that increases your pulse and makes your muscles work is a good starting place.
Aquatics
Lane swim and aquatic fitness are easy on joints while providing a great workout!
Walking
Indoor tracks and treadmills make one of the simplest forms of exercise accessible in all weather.
Pickleball
Pickleball is an easy-to-learn, all-ages activity that keeps growing in popularity.
Fitness Classes
Gentle Fit, low-impact versions of aerobics and Synergy Fit, some forms of yoga and Zumba Gold classes all offer joint-friendly moves.
Our Exclusive EGYM
EGYM delivers a safe, personalized full body strength workout to members, making it perfect for all fitness levels. After your orientation, the machines know the perfect settings for you. You always have proper form and never over train or get stuck at a plateau because training adapts to your progress. Complete the circuit twice for a complete strength workout that takes just 30-minutes. Because each EGYM machine is in sync, you never have to wait for the next station!
Adult Day Program
Our South Y hosts an Adult Day Program, a community-based grant-funded program of the WRHA for Home Care clients. Through social and recreational opportunities, participants are able to continue living a quality, independent lifestyle in their own homes while caregivers enjoy respite. Adult Day Programs provide support for community members who may be frail, cognitively impaired, or living with chronic conditions, and who may otherwise be isolated or have limited access to community activities. Seniors enjoy making connections and friendships as well as activities to help maintain strength, mobility, and mental stimulation.
Mental Health Supports
According to research, 1 in 4 seniors lives with a mental health problem such as depression, anxiety or dementia. By their 80s, approximately 50% of seniors report feeling lonely. This social isolation has been shown to affect both psychological and cognitive health. Exercise is proven to be affective in managing or preventing many mental health issues and can provide opportunities to reduce social isolation. In addition to supporting active living opportunities, we offer mental health programming that combines social opportunities with support for managing mental health with our Learning & Leisure program for adults.
Our Inspiring Members
A Passion for Pickleball
When Beverly McIntyre first walked into the Downtown Y five years ago, she felt a little out of her comfort zone. “I’ve never done the machines and I didn’t know anything about the equipment.” She went through a consultation with Y staff and, although she appreciated being shown how to work the equipment and enjoys the walking track, it’s her love of pickleball that keeps her coming back to the Y. “I love everything about pickleball. It’s fun to play and helps me stay fit as much as possible.”
Aquafit Is the Perfect Fit
We asked some of our West Portage members about what made them dip their toes into aquafit and what keeps them coming back for more of these low-impact, full body classes:
“I find it so helpful. I feel relaxed and happy after class”.
“I tried it once and that was it – I love the pool. I need to look after myself and this helps.”
“You don’t have to be an athlete. The Y is home to me. It’s a great place!”
It's Never Too Late to Shine
Even if physical activity hasn’t been part of your regular routine, there is time to change old habits, adopt new ones and enjoy the positive effects on your body. Eating a balanced diet, reducing alcohol consumption or getting a good night’s sleep all contribute to healthy ageing.In a 35-year Swedish study, researchers tracked a group of 50-year-old males, reviewing detailed information about their health habits every year. Those who increased their activity levels, even into their 70s, extended their lifespans and their quality of life.
Help Seniors Thrive
When you support the Y, you are helping to create a vibrant community where people of all ages can thrive. Through programs like membership assistance, mental health services and Adult Day Program, we help empower older adults to stay healthier longer. Whether you choose to join a Community Hub, donate or volunteer with us, your support helps develop healthy, successful people and a more connected city.