Fitness Journey Starts Here: Senior Exercise Programs in Hong Kong

Maintaining a strong and healthy body in one's golden years requires more than just a balanced diet – regular exercise plays a vital role. According to the "Territory-wide Physical Fitness Survey for the Community" conducted by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in June 2023, Hong Kong's older adult population shows concerning rates of central obesity and hypertension. Exercise has emerged as a crucial tool in managing these health conditions and building a foundation for healthy aging.

While chronic pain and existing health conditions may discourage some seniors from physical activity, others hesitate due to limited access to safe, structured exercise programs. The good news is that Hong Kong offers a wide array of fitness activities specifically designed for older adults. These programs, available through government initiatives, social welfare organizations, and private institutions, are crafted to accommodate various fitness levels and health conditions, encouraging older adults to take their first steps towards an active lifestyle.

Leisure and Cultural Services Department

• The ‘Having Fun in Elderly Exercise’, ‘ Healthy Elderly Scheme’ and ‘Meeting Point for the Elderly” programs offer different fitness activities for the older adults
• Website:  Enter https://www.smartplay.lcsd.gov.hk/home?lang=tc
• Press ‘Activity’ in the lower part of the landing webpage
• Scroll down the next page and click to the ‘Browse by sports list’ under the ‘Activity list’ 
• After pressing ‘Others’ in the next page, a pop-up window can be seen in which three different banners ‘Having Fun in Elderly Exercise’, ‘Healthy Elderly Scheme’ and ‘Meeting Point for the Elderly’ can be seen; these are suitable choices for older adults
• Click to one or three of these banners at the Select button at the right bottom corner of the same webpage; take note that another pop-up window will come up immediately at the left hand upper corner (of the same page) for you to fill in your preferences of district and month(s)
• Activities will then be displayed for you to choose from 
  

Fitness and sports activities launched by Charities, Social Enterprises and Private Organizations

Some charities, social enterprises and private groups in Hong Kong also launch activities and set up groups that suit the exercise needs of older adults to cultivate their exercise habits.

Bring in Change

• Website ﹕https://www.bringinchange.org/
• Facebook ﹕https://www.facebook.com/BringInChange
• Introduction: A group of volunteers who love sports established Bring in Change, a registered charity group to encourage and accompany older adults in sports. In addition to promoting older adults sports in collaboration with local social welfare organizations, Bring in Change also regularly holds regular elderly long-distance running, fitness exercise or yoga classes at different locations.  Their monthly activity calendar is published on their fb page.

Silver Yoga Lab

• Website: https://www.60yoga.com/449426861/450229169
• Introduction:  Silver Yoga is a social enterprise that specializes in serving older adults  and senior citizens by organizing yoga classes to encourage the older adults to continue exercising. Regular courses include chair yoga, yin and yang yoga, stretching yoga, dynamic yoga, yoga Pilates and mindfulness healing yoga…etc.. In addition, carers  yoga is also offered in their classroom, allowing carers to relieve stress through yoga exercises.
  

Elderly Fitness Studio HK

• Website ﹕https://www.elderly-fitness-studio.com.hk/
• Introduction: Elderly Fitness opened the only fitness gymnasium for older adults in Hong Kong, dedicated to improving the quality of exercise for the  older adults and actively promoting exercise among them. Their classrooms provide fee-based beginner classes, regular classes and advanced classes for the older adults to take part.

Gym Beginner

• Website:https://www.gymbeginner.hk/Elderly Training Class/
• Introduction: Gym Beginner’s training classes for the older adults  are designed to address the health problems most  encountered by the them, such as pain, osteoporosis, and decreased cardiopulmonary function. Through promoting weight training, cardiopulmonary training, balance training, and stretching, and joint mobility training , Gym Beginners helps  enhance the physical fitness and health of the elderly.

YWCA "Y Fitness"

• Website:https://yfitness.ywca.org.hk/signature-class.php?id=9
• Introduction: "Y Fitness" is a social enterprise founded by the YWCA. It mainly provides exercise courses for middle-aged people and the older adults who are concerned about their health. Aquatic fitness classes are specially designed for people and older adults  suffering from joint pain,  old muscle tendon and bone problems and obesity. People who do not know how to swim can also participate.

Jockey Club  Community eHealth Care Project

• Website: https://www.jc-ehealth.hk/
• Introduction: The Project is the first health management service plan for the older adults in Hong Kong that combines electronic and digital health management technology, community care and professional team follow-up.  The goal is to enhance the self-health management capabilities of the older adults. Project partners include the CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Aging and The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, as well as a number of non-governmental organizations. After answering the "Elderly Health Quality Questionnaire", an older adult will have the opportunity to participate in a series of health-themed activities. The Project will also refer participants to appropriate community health and/or other services based on their needs.

A Message to Carers

As a carer, you play a vital role in promoting an active lifestyle for your older loved ones. Here are practical tips to help encourage them to embrace regular exercise:

• Lead by example and invite them to exercise together
• Start with simple activities like morning walks or gentle stretches
• Emphasize the social aspect by involving their friends in activities
• Celebrate their progress to build confidence
• Help document their fitness journey and share in their achievements
• Listen to their concerns about exercise and address them patiently
• Choose suitable exercise classes based on their interests and abilities

Safety Reminders:

• Ensure they consult their doctor before starting any exercise routine
• Monitor weather conditions and the environment
• Remind them to wear appropriate exercise attire and footwear
• If possible, accompany them to their first class to help them familiarize with the environment

Your encouragement and support can make a significant difference in helping your loved ones maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise not only benefits their physical health but also provides opportunities for social interaction and mental well-being.