Seniors get to start exercising and at the end of the session, they are given a complimentary meal.

 

Get moving and get rewarded. St Luke’s Eldercare (SLEC) has introduced a programme called WE! (Workout Empowerment!), an incentive-based fitness programme to get seniors to start exercising, and to promote the benefits of healthy eating and active living. Seniors go through a 30-minute medium-intensity workout session with a health coach and at the end of the session, they are given a complimentary healthy bento set and eat together.

Shared one of the participants, Helen Lee, 63, “I used to detest exercising because I found it boring, but since joining the WE! programme, I look forward to exercising with my buddies every week. I feel much more active both socially and physically than ever before. Now, I participate enthusiastically as this is the only weekly exercise I find enjoyable by working out and eating together with friends!”

The WE! programme comprises of three levels, lasting 12 weeks for each, and with each level, the workout intensity increases. The programme is being offered at SLEC’s Active Ageing Hub@Bishan, Active Ageing Hub@Anchorvale and Active Ageing Hub@Northshore. If there is a strong demand, more locations will be explored. To date, the oldest participant is 81, while the youngest is 55.

Another participant, 63-year-old Sindy Sim said, “I was initially quite apprehensive in participating in such a long programme. However, after seeing my physique and health improve weekly, I am now hooked on exercising as I can feel the benefits since joining the programme. Furthermore, I have made many friends through bonding after the exercise when we eat and laugh together!”

Seniors living within the service boundaries of those three centres can simply walk in to register for free to be an SLEC active ageing member. All participants in the programme are required to undergo a simple PAR-Q (Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire) self-screening to determine their suitability for the WE! programme. SLEC will take up to 16 participants per level at each centre.

According to SLEC, after participants have completed the three levels, they “graduate” to the WE! Club, where they continue exercising with fellow WE! graduates. They will also continue to enjoy complimentary access to exercise facilities during designated timeslots at no cost. If they decide to volunteer with the WE! programme, they will assist the health coach in guiding new participants.