Benevilla is excited to announce Benefitness, their latest program designed to meet a vital community need, is on schedule to open this summer. The unique adaptive gym provides specialized individual and group fitness instruction to our community of adults with differing abilities and special physical considerations including those with early onset diagnoses (e.g., Parkinson’s, dementia, MS, and more) looking to improve physical performance, mental acuity, strength, balance, and overall wellbeing.
“We are excited to offer such an amazing resource to those in our community facing the challenges of aging and early stages of dementia,” says Lorrie Karn, Benevilla Director of Benefitness. “Our program can help improve their quality of life, improve their strength and balance and improve their ability to perform routine tasks of daily life hopefully keeping them independent at home longer.”
The gym has been “taking shape” over the last few months as equipment, furnishings and exercise accessories have been installed. The gym will offer modified equipment for individuals in wheelchairs, people who have limited motion, and those who are differently abled. Certified “coaches” will provide individual and small group instruction including circuit training, fall and injury prevention and stretch and range of motion classes.
The adaptive gym will also have a room dedicated to the “Rock Steady Boxing” program. “Rock Steady Boxing” has been shown to mitigate and delay negative physical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Exercises are inspired by boxing drills where members work on agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork, and overall strength to defend against or overcome the decline related to Parkinson’s. There will also be a “BeneBoxing” program with the same boxing fundamentals but for those not experiencing Parkinson’s.
A healthy food and smoothie bar, Birt’s Café, will be available in the gym as well as the “Caregiver Retreat,” a unique respite and relaxation space with massage chairs, aromatherapy, a water feature, and a conversation area.
Benevilla is currently accepting reservations for their special “founding members” club offering exclusive discounts and perks. If you would like more information or would like to take a behind the scenes tour, please call Benefitness at 623-584-0065.