


There is nothing linear about this growth,” Evans says. “When I started this, 30% of the group was sitting and now everyone is standing and some are even sprinting. Participants have expressed their gratitude for the program, and Evans says that leading the sessions is just as fulfilling for the instructors. It’s about small, simple movements that can benefit everyone.” “We have this world-class facility, but you don’t have to be a world-class runner. “What I love about this program is that it is all inclusive, for all shapes, sizes, and ages,” Spencer says. They encourage participants by leading chants like “love yourself better” as they exercise together. Spencer and Evans promote positivity and mental health throughout the sessions, too. Photo: Columbia University Irving Medical Center.ĭuring the fitness session, Armory fitness coaches Phyllis Spencer and Francyna Evans energetically lead participants in a variety of exercises tailored for all levels of fitness ability. "Creating a program in a partnership with CUIMC gives the program particular depth, unlike any other program of its kind."įitness coach Phyllis Spencer, center front, guides participants through stretches after their workout. "The Armory is delighted to welcome our neighborhood seniors to the AIM High Program," says Rita Finkel, co-president of The Armory Foundation. Presenters devote time for questions, and participants are eager to engage.
#Aim high academy ny how to#
Conversations focus on issues related to healthy aging, including how to exercise as you age, diabetes, vaccines, falls, hypertension, and how to make the most of a doctor’s visit. Residents from the Department of Medicine lead weekly healthy living conversations in English and Spanish. Students from Mailman’s Learning, Evaluating, and Assessing Resources and Needs in Informational Technology (L.E.A.R.N.I.T.) program volunteered to help seniors with the new fitness trackers. Over 30 CUIMC volunteers have participated in the weekly program, including faculty, staff, and students from VP&S, the Mailman School of Public Health, and the Taub Institute. “We are delighted to partner with our neighbor, The Armory Foundation, to provide health education and wellness activities to help our seniors thrive.” “As physicians, we recognize the value of physical fitness in overall health,” Lantigua says. Photo: Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Nancy Chang, right, cheers on participants as they run relay races on the Armory track. Participants receive incentives, such as program T-shirts, fitness tracker watches, and athletic shoes, as they progress in the program. The fitness session is followed by conversations with Columbia physicians, including Rafael Lantigua, MD, professor of medicine and associate dean for community service at Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Nancy Chang, MD, associate professor of medicine at VP&S. Starting at 10 a.m., coaches from the Armory lead 60-minute fitness sessions including group exercises and a walk around the track.
#Aim high academy ny free#
The Seniors AIM High program, a collaboration between The Armory Foundation and the CUIMC Office of Community Service Programs, provides free fitness opportunities for older adults ages 60 and over from Washington Heights-Inwood, Harlem, and the South Bronx. Every Tuesday at the Armory, over 100 local seniors gather for an hour of exercise, fitness lessons, and healthy living conversations with faculty, staff, and students from Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
