The Wave of Seniors !

The proportion of elderly individuals in Poland's population is steadily increasing. By the end of 2021, the percentage of seniors in the country reached 25.7%, with the number of people aged 60 and older totaling 9.7 million! The World Health Organization recommends that seniors engage in at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. This equates to approximately 30 minutes of physical activity per day, five days a week. Ideally, this activity should cover three areas: endurance exercises for better fitness, strength exercises for a stable and strong physique, and stretching exercises for improved flexibility of ligaments and tendons.

We discuss the growing popularity of water-based activities for seniors with Marta Wilhelmi – a teacher, fitness and swimming instructor, and owner of the Swim Academy operating at Aquapark Fala.

Swimming for Health

Are classes for seniors recreation, rehabilitation, or health prevention? How are the sessions structured to meet the expectations of participants aged 60+?

Classes for seniors combine health prevention, recreation, and rehabilitation. Water gymnastics improves physical fitness by enhancing cardiovascular and respiratory performance, increasing joint mobility, and strengthening all muscle groups. Water exercises for seniors relieve pressure on the spine, help prevent osteoporosis, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. These classes also positively impact mental well-being, offering relaxation, stress relief, and enjoyment.

Swimming for Companionship

Exercise and physical activity are important reasons to participate in Aqua Senior classes, but there’s more… the motto “Swim for Companionship”! What’s the idea behind this phrase?

Exercise and physical activity are not the only reasons to attend our classes. Equally valuable is the fulfillment of the “Swim for Companionship” motto. Getting out of the house, meeting peers with similar challenges, making new friends, and engaging in conversations are crucial aspects of a senior’s life. After classes at Fala, seniors often enjoy spending time together over coffee and cake at the restaurant within the Aquapark. Our senior groups are very well-integrated and sociable.

Swimming Lessons for Seniors

Do participants need to know how to swim to join the classes? Can you assist seniors who wish to learn to swim?

Participants don’t need to know how to swim. Aqua Senior is not only a form of healthy physical activity but also a wonderful way to become comfortable with water. If a senior wants to learn to swim, they can join adult swimming lessons at the Swim Academy. On Senior Day at Aquapark Fala, we also offer swimming workshops and first aid training.

What swimming and water activity equipment does a senior need, and what is provided on-site?

A senior only needs to bring their swimsuit/trunks, a towel, flip-flops, and optionally their own swimming goggles. That’s all! The rest of the equipment – noodles, flotation belts, dumbbells, discs, balls, kickboards, etc. – is provided as part of our classes.