Seniors Love to Stay Fit at Timber Ridge at Talus
Timber Ridge at Talus is a vibrant senior living community, located just 15 miles from downtown Seattle, in Issaquah, Washington. Residents at Timber Ridge stay busy both by walking and hiking on the natural trails in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains as well as by taking advantage of the community’s fitness and aquatic center offerings.
Staying Fit is Easy at Timber Ridge
Timber Ridge offers an array of one-on-one and group fitness services. Each resident gets a free senior fitness evaluation when they first move to Timber Ridge. Fitness Manager Rachel Leszczynski said, “It gives them a better idea of where they are with aerobic fitness, muscular endurance, body composition, balance and mobility. From that, we usually prescribe exercises individualized to each resident’s goals, abilities, and evaluation results.”
From there, residents can enjoy the gym equipment, such as treadmills, stair climbers, elliptical machines, seated row, lat pulldown, free weights, stability balls, balance boards, and much more. The fitness center is open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and Rachel and her team are available to offer free consultations, do blood pressure checks, and answer residents’ fitness questions.
In addition to personalized help, residents can participate in an array of weekly land and water exercise classes. The regular, daily classes, which can draw anywhere from 10 to 35 people per class, include Cardio-Fusion Step, Functional Strength Training, Balance Tone and Stretch, beginner balance, advanced balance, and water walking. Residents can also participate in more specialized classes like Tai Chi, yoga, and line dancing one to two times a week.
Monthly, the fitness team runs a different challenge or incentive. “In July, we did Exercise Across America,” shared Rachel. “Residents selected a city they wanted to get to, and then accumulated the number of miles it would take to get to that city. The resident who accrued the most miles toward their goal won a prize.”
Catering to Resident Requests
Timber Ridge meets everyone’s needs by going beyond regular fitness classes with specialty events and suggestions from residents.
This summer, in response to requests from several residents, Timber Ridge ran a Summer Boot Camp. “We had around 8 to 10 people per class, in two classes per week, throughout June. The first week we did water balance. The second week we did body weight strengthening outside. We also did advanced balance classes, and a circuit class in the fitness center,” said Rachel.
“We will, from time to time, mix it up and throw in new classes, especially for residents who want something more,” she said. “They’ve asked about – and we’ve done – Pilates and water volleyball. Our fitness program is really open to accepting suggestions from residents, and we are really good about accommodating or finding something for them.”
Recently, about 20 seniors from Timber Ridge went on a hike in the Nisqually Nature Reserve. “Some residents walked five miles, others three,” shared Rachel. “We usually go somewhere every month.”
Numerous Health Benefits
“Most people want to stay fit and healthy,” said Rachel. “From heart health and keeping cardiovascular endurance to being able to do laundry, cook, and handle all aspects of daily living. Keeping independent is really important to seniors. And exercise is the absolute best way to do that.”
Brain health is just as important. “We have regular brain fitness classes, group puzzles, bridge games, game night. And Timber Ridge has that social activity aspect, such as singers who get together and perform once a week, local bands that come, a Sawdusters woodworking group. So residents have this well-rounded program here, and our fitness programs fit really well into that.”
Uniquely Timber Ridge
One of the biggest things that sets Timber Ridge apart from other senior living communities, according to Rachel, is that “we offer different classes, and take input from residents, and tailor service to what they want. Residents get a really big say in how things are run.”
She also said she’s seen a lot of friendships grow from group fitness classes. “New people move in every month, and really the best way for them to get involved is by joining the fitness classes. We introduce them to people who are interested in the same things they are interested in. It’s a great way for them to get started.”
Rachel said that after three or four months of working out, people will tell her they see great improvement and feel so much better because of the exercises. “That’s nice to see,” she said. “I love working one-on-one with people, and getting to know the residents. We have so many interesting people here.
“We have several residents who have run marathons, so a few residents took their marathon shirts and made quilts. They are hanging in our fitness center. One woman I’ve worked with, Judy Carlson, is absolutely amazing. She has run in over 50 marathons! [Our residents] are incredible.”
To find out how you can be a part of Timber Ridge senior living community, get in touch with us at * 425-427-2929.