Hear directly from our residents about their active lifestyle at The Marshes of Skidaway Island
Nowadays they say that “sitting is the new smoking” and I actually know people who set an alarm on their Apple watch or Fitbit to remind themselves to get off the couch and take a few steps in place. No need to do this at The Marshes, where we enjoy walking on safe roads around the cottages, a tended gravel path around the Villas and a beautiful neighboring state forest. Don’t feel like walking alone? A walking group meets twice a week. Don’t feel like walking outdoors? Cardio equipment along with strength machines are available at the Palmetto Club any time the spirit moves you. A few of our residents walk the air-conditioned hallways at the Villas for exercise, and some throw in the stairs for good measure.
We are lucky to have a full-time community life coordinator who is also our fitness instructor, Allison Bernzott. A campus favorite, she has a number of degrees and certificates with concentration on gerontology that qualify her for the job, but the one that says it all for purposes of this subject is “Senior Fitness Specialist”. She leads a variety of group classes, in person or on Channel 95. Allison plans her classes carefully because she has to address a variety of mind/body issues within a limited amount of time. We can choose Sit & Stretch, Stretch & Strength, Breath & Balance, Walking Group, or the ever-popular Aqua Fitness, six days a week!
As if this wasn’t enough, some of the residents have started their own classes and lead them too. So, we have Advanced Aerobics (DVD), Yoga (DVD), and Line Dancing (resident led). A group of fellows intriguingly called the SOBs meets on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. to ride their bikes and have breakfast afterwards. They tell me that SOBs stand for Sweet Old Bikers.
The spiritual is not neglected: there is a weekly 20-minute meditation session on Channel 95.
Please don’t donate your athletic wear if you move to The Marshes – you will be needing it. You will be making many new friends, including those huffing and laughing along with you at fitness classes or at the Palmetto Club. There is no faster way to bond!
