Scarborough: Childhood activity providing fun and fitness for seniors

A GROUP of women over 50 are revisiting their childhood through exercise.

Scarborough resident Karene Kirk-Burnnand runs a Happy Healthy Hoops class specifically for over 50s in Scarborough that she said was lots of fun.

“You can burn over 400 calories in an hour, it helps with flexibility, motor skills, eye-hand coordination – it’s a work out for the brain and the heart,” she said.

“Laughing is part of the fun.”

Most of the participants are aged 60 and older and Gwelup resident Jane Bryant believed it was ideal for women seeking gentle exercise as it involved plenty of movement and stretching.

Others found it mentally and physically beneficial, which was echoed by Churchlands resident Elaine Badenhorst.

“Hula hooping is good for over 50s as it is a great all over workout without being too strenuous on the body – it is also wonderfully social,” she said.