Everything you need to know about Community Strength & Balance

Live stronger for longer with Strength & Balance

Strength & Balance sessions are a wonderful way to strengthen your body and freshen up your social calendar.

These sessions are designed for older people and offer active options for everyone in a fun, friendly atmosphere. There is also the chance to share a relaxed cup of tea and biscuit and catch up on all the neighborhood news. Hosted by friendly, knowledgable leaders in neigbourhoods all around Taranaki there will be a Strength & Balance session to suit you.

Boosting your strength and balance guards against falls and fractures - helping you keep active and independent for longer.These sessions are making a real difference in people's lives. Why not give one a try. Click the yellow button on the right to print your first free class voucher.

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What is your falls risk?

​​​​​​​Each year one in three people aged 65 and over will fall, for people aged 80 and over, the risk increases to one in two.

• Have you slipped, tripped or fallen in the last year?

• Have you had to use your hands to get out of a chair?

• Have you stopped doing some activities because you are afraid you might lose your balance?

• Are you worried about falling?

If you answered ‘Yes’ to any of the above and you would like to stay stronger for longer, come along to a strength and balance class.

One of the ways to reduce your falls risk is by attending exercise classes specifically designed to improve strength and balance.

Research shows when people exercise to strengthen their legs and core, their balance improves, and as a result their risk of falls reduces by almost one third.​​​​​​​

Strength & Balance Class participants were surveyed in 2019

Survey highlights included:

86% reported they are no longer worried about falling after coming to classes

86% reported they no longer stop activities they enjoy doing after coming to the class because they are no longer afraid they would lose their balance

Social connection, health beneöts and instructors were the most liked aspects for class attendees. Being affordable, enjoyable, gaining friendships and additional activities outside of class closely followed.​​​​​​​

View the full survey report here

Become a Strength & Balance Leader

​​​​​​​Older adults with muscle weakness, balance or gait deficiencies are three to five times more likely to fall within a twelve month period than those without. 

There is evidence that community group strength and balance training can reduce falls by nearly 30%. 

ACC and Sport Taranaki are are looking for keen individuals and organisations with an interest in this area who are interested in setting up new classes or modifying existing classes for older adults.

Benefits of Becoming a Strength and Balance Leader:

A rewarding chance to support older adults gaining increased strength and balance and a range of health and social benefits.

• Help older adults stay independent and well at home

• Free training and support. (Including initial training and First Aid trainingl, provision of ongoing support, refresher and six monthly upskilling workshops)

• Face to face and phone support

• Access to resources (class plans, equipment ideas and circuit cards) to aid fun and variety

• Health and Safety support.

•  Approved classes are part of a referral pathway through health professionals

• Free class promotion through Sport Taranaki and partners 

• Join a network of leaders

Find out how to become a Strength & Balance Leader or to access support by contacting Hilary Blackstock.

Community Strength and Balance Coordinator

hilary.blackstock@sporttaranaki.org.nz

Phone: 06 759 0930