Kim Shorts: Feeling fit past age 55

Are you age 55 or older and need to get moving more?

If you are, consider joining the VON SMART program. This free program is for people who want to keep moving and can’t benefit from a traditional exercise program due to health issues, mobility restrictions, or chronic health conditions.

SMART stands for Seniors Maintaining Active Roles Together. The program’s goals are to help seniors maintain their quality of life and independence.

The program offers functional fitness classes in communities throughout the Grey-Bruce region, including Kincardine, Tiverton, Ripley, Lucknow, Teeswater, Port Elgin, Southampton, Sauble Beach, Owen Sound, Wiarton, Tobermory, Lion’s Head, Meaford, Chatsworth, Tara, Markdale, Williamsford, Hanover, and Mildmay.

If you fall into this group and are interested in joining, you can call the VON main office in Owen Sound at 519-376-5895. Ask for the name and contact information of the SMART program co-ordinator in your area to find out if is there is space available in the class or if you need to have your name added to a wait-list.

The classes are an hour long and individual participants work-out at their own pace since the program is based on their health and range of motion.

In addition to participants finding that the classes tend to be social and fun, they also learn how to stay healthier and remain active longer.

“Since I have arthritis, this exercise class helps me live my best life,” says Joanie Gauthier who has been a participant since 2018.



Kincardine VON fitness volunteers Carol Cook (left) and John Roberts

VON SMART classes are led by trained and certified volunteer fitness instructors.

Antoinetta MacDonald has been a certified instructor in Tiverton for the past 10 years. She and several other instructors lead the 9:45 a.m. classes there on Wednesdays and Fridays.

“I love to see the participants improve their mobility,” she says. “It also gets me out exercising too!”

Leise Peddie is one of the certified instructors in Kincardine. She attended the Lucknow classes two years ago and was immediately hooked to become an instructor.

“The SMART program is an excellent way to stay active and flexible,” she says. “It’s so important to maintain your quality of life as you age, during everyday activities.”

Training is done in a SMART class with other certified trainers, and there are required on-line courses as well.

I am a certified instructor in Kincardine and it’s been a wonderful journey. I get to meet people from all over, and learn how to live a healthier lifestyle.

The two classes that run in Kincardine are on Mondays and Wednesday; one starts at 9:30 a.m. and the other starts at 10:45 a.m.

VON is a non-profit charitable organization providing home and community care support services across Ontario and Nova Scotia. Among its goals is to have staff and volunteers help people learn about fall prevention and remain active, reducing the need for costly hospital and long-term care support.

The organization is always in need of volunteers to support several programs, especially volunteer fitness instructors for the SMART program. More fitness instructors may mean more classes could be added.

To volunteer, visit VON on-line volunteer application or call Beverly Mulder at 519-376-5895, Option 5.

As a reminder, you should always consult first with a medical professional or coach before starting a fitness program.



Volunteer VON SMART fitness instructors, covering the Kincardine and Lucknow area, include, Virginia Bacon (left), Carol Cook, Christine Roberts, Leise Peddie, Kim Dixon, and John Roberts; they attended the April 30 VON Grey-Bruce SMART Volunteer Appreciation Day in Sauble Beach, along with 60 other volunteer instructors from the region



A VON SMART class in Kincardine