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Dieting & exercise

Steady As You Go Classes

(21 Posts)
Zumba369 Thu 06-Feb-25 11:45:06

youtu.be/Bf7_hyHEwBk?si=Xx2vWrIE2uHQ1erQ
I was visiting my daughter in New Zealand for a few weeks and her MIL invited me to the “SAYGO” class that she ran. I was really impressed as about 30 people attended ranging in age from 60 to 90 and of various genders and physical ability. The class started really informally with a soft football being thrown around randomly as the participants sat down. Then there was a quick chat about any general issues and someone told a joke. Everyone enjoyed the mixture of exercises and went for a coffee after they had finished as another class of 20 people were waiting to do their “SAYGO” class!
I would love to start my own class locally. Has anyone participated in a class like this in the UK?

ferry23 Thu 06-Feb-25 12:33:37

Never heard of it, but it sounds like a brilliant idea.

chelseababy Thu 06-Feb-25 13:16:33

Thank you for the you tube link, I will give it a go.

MaryJoan Thu 06-Feb-25 13:33:59

I go to a seated exercise class every week where we exercise all our joints. We also do exercises with rubber bands. We do a memory game. Read a funny poem. Sometimes we introduce other equipment such as a parachute, bean bags, small soft balls or footballs or balloons. Lots of laughter and friendship.

Zumba369 Thu 06-Feb-25 22:42:00

MaryJoan this sounds like a good social activity as well as exercise, who is it run by please?

Allira Thu 06-Feb-25 23:02:31

It sounds interesting but I haven't heard of groups here.

I know there are walking netball groups for those who enjoy a game of netball but can't run any more.
The yoga class I used to go to has people up to age 90+.

Someone demonstrated chair 'aerobics' to our TG group and there are classes locally.

The group you went to sounds like fun, Zumba369.

Athrawes Fri 07-Feb-25 12:24:51

I go to a weekly Chair Yoga which is just right for me. No pressure but there's a do your best attitude. The teacher is aware of the problems that we have so we don't feel awkward at any time. I also attend a special Pilates session a week for those of us with various bone and muscle issues. This is a very helpful session too and also gets us moving. Highly recommend these types of exercise - it keep us going!!!

gulligranny Fri 07-Feb-25 12:30:08

I go to a SitFit class every week, we aren't sitting all the time though. Our teacher does a lot of chair yoga with us, together with balancing exercises, dance moves and some work with bands. All to cheery music and we're encouraged to sing along, so as well as being good for us it's great fun.

Whiff Fri 07-Feb-25 15:09:23

Please note you will need insurance to run classes and start it up as a business and all that entails . Plus taking medical history of all attend and they need to sign the paperwork . Plus give details GP and next if kin. There is a lot to look you can't just start a class . There are rules covering exercise classes and any training you have to teacher.

I go to sit fit class on Monday afternoon and we do exercises standing plus using ankle weights and resistance bands been going 2 years .Tuesday morning I go to a move or lose it class and use resistance bands ,foam tubes,bean bags and balls so far been going 3 weeks.

Whiff Fri 07-Feb-25 15:28:26

Our sit fit instructor had to go on courses to teach and get certification plus first aid training . Our move it or lose instructor was a physiotherapist for 30 years .

Zumba369 Wed 12-Feb-25 11:25:23

Thanks @Whiff this is sound advice.

NotSpaghetti Wed 12-Feb-25 12:29:58

If I Google SAYGO (steady as you go) classes near me it brings up lots of options.
Most aren't actually called SAYGO - but it's clearly what they are.

Musicgirl Fri 14-Feb-25 15:23:46

What a super idea and one that could really take off here. I know that people who have always been physically active and sporty are often able to continue with their chosen activities until well into retirement, but there are many of us who remember senior school PE lessons and teachers with dread. If you were not school team material, it was a nightmare and PE lessons, especially cross country, were the best way of putting many of us off formal exercise for life. I, for one would welcome a class like this where we could do gentle exercises without judgement on our abilities (or lack of!).

4allweknow Fri 14-Feb-25 15:32:49

Looks like a class I would readily participate in. Will do some research for any similar groups locally.

Whiff Fri 14-Feb-25 16:43:52

4allweknow look for sit fit ,move it or lose it classes . Plus see if there is a Age UK community fit club. My council does a GP referral active ageing sit fit class 12 weeks free plus hot drink and biscuits afterwards.

I started my exercise in 2018 in Age UK community fit club but the instructor gave me a chair to hold on to for legs exercises and sat for arm exercises.

Joined at sit fit class when I moved here . Sit down and stand up exercises. Closed due to covid . Found the active ageing class sit and stand up exercises plus walking ones. Been going to my sit fit class for 2 years sit down and stand up exercises plus walking ones. Move it or lose it class we do sit down and stand up exercises but do different exercises to my sit fit class and use different equipment. 4 weeks ago.

These are my wake up exercises our sit fit instructor set us as homework been doing them every day for a year. I like routine but it wakes up your body.

Deep breath in and raise your arms above your head or how high you can and slowly lower them and breath out . 10 times .

Shake your arms and legs to count of 20.

Swing your arms twist from your waist keeping hips forward count to 20

Fold your left arm to took right shoulder and right to left shoulder raise your arms to shoulder height or as high as you can twist from the waist hips facing forward count 10 swap arms and count to 10.

Lift your legs as if to kick your bum alternating legs count to 20.

Lift your knees up at the front as if marching alternating legs as high as you can count to 20.

Go on your toes as if you are pumping a foot pump count to 20. But lowering your feet slowly.

If anything hurts stop. When I first started doing then had to hold on to my bed bar but after a couple of weeks didn't need to.

poochwool Fri 14-Feb-25 16:44:04

It sounds like Postural Stability classes (although I haven't watched your video).
NHS run them for those who have had a fall .
Tai Chi and Qi Gong are helpful too

NotSpaghetti Fri 14-Feb-25 17:26:17

I did a Tai Chi class via my pain clinic years ago.
I would happily pay to use another one - it was excellent.

There is someone near me who advertised similar - but the conversation I had on the phone with him put me off...

win Fri 14-Feb-25 21:21:18

I do seated Tai-Chi where we have 1/2 standing if we can and 1/2 seated
I also do seated dancing where we use things like chiffon scarfs. it is expressive dancing so very relaxing and great fun.
They are both perfect for getting your circulation going and waking up your whole system, great friendships and lots of fun

M0nica Fri 14-Feb-25 21:47:03

I do normal Tai Chi but with a chair at my side which I hold on to for some exercises. I have always had very poor balance. It took me years to learn to ride a bike and I was never a very confident rider for just that reason.

Goldieoldie15 Sat 15-Feb-25 00:11:18

Being New Zealand I bet the coffee was superb not like something more akin to dishwater we get in the uk.

Zumba369 Sun 23-Feb-25 06:40:04

Goldieoldie15 the coffee was indeed superb and Christchurch operates a “price-fixing” policy for coffee shops so you never pay more than the equivalent of a couple of pounds!