MOST older people would say good health is priceless and with a Worcester fitness class for men it nearly is.

The subsidided weekly class at the University of Worcester’s McClelland Centre of Health and Wellbeing in Infirmary Walk, off Castle Street, works out at £2 per weekly session, says Marc Scriven, the freelance strength and conditioning coach who is putting people through their paces.

Yet with an average of 12 people attending the classes between 10.15am and 11.15am each Friday, it is tempting to see this as Worcester’s best-kept secret – and also a missed opportunity for a generation of people who could reap huge health benefits without breaking the piggy bank at a time when all of us, especially pensioners, are somewhat strapped for cash.

The purpose of the senior men’s fitness class, aimed at men over the age of 60, is to help this group remain physically active and independent for longer so they can vastly improve their quality of life.

The class is one component of a far larger ongoing university seniors project led by Dr Susie Hart of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science. Dr Hart works closely with members of the University of the Third Age to develop sport and recreation activities specifically designed by older people for older people.

At the centre, people have access to rowing machines, cross trainers, running machines, free weights and resistance machines as well as kit they might not find in other gyms such as the kinesis machine, which can be adapted for different parts of the body.

Mr Scriven, aged 53, of St John’s, Worcester, said the classes improved the flexibility, mobility and balance of those taking part using functional strength movements aimed at strengthening the whole body. The focus is on a ‘multi-muscle’ and ‘multi-joint’ workout to improve the whole body rather than isolation exercises which target specific muscles, as used by bodybuilders.

It may sound technical but it is quite simple. The focus is on exercises which allow older people to do more in their everyday lives than they might otherwise manage.

It might mean they can do more gardening or carry a bag or a suitcase for greater distances. Also, with improved posture and balance, people are far less likely to fall over, which can cause injuries such as broken hips.

Some of the exercises also develop ‘grip strength’ which means if someone is unlucky enough to fall they are more likely to be able to grab hold of something and avoid injury.

Exercise and a healthy diet can prevent or reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

More than a quarter of adults in Worcestershire’s 557,000 population are obese, with another 40 per cent classed as overweight.

Worcestershire spends £80 million a year treating obesity-related illhealth and another £60 million on the consequences of excess weight.

Mr Scriven said: “We’re trying to promote a healthy lifestyle and exercise for an elderly population.

Some of the people are very active and they cycle to the class and some are people recovering from coronary events like bypasses and heart attacks.”

Mr Scriven, who was part of the 1980 Olympic judo squad and is also a triathlete, said the classes were very much tailored to the individual and the ability level of each person.

He said: “I’m really proud of the guys. I think they have done really well. The most important thing is that each person is viewed as an individual. We’re not saying we would deal with a 60-year-old the same as an 80-year-old.”

Mr Scriven says the university will put on more classes if enough people come forward to have a free trial and that Professor David Green, the university’s vice chancellor, is enthusiastic about the classes. Mr Scriven said: “He wants this class to grow and he wants it to succeed.”

For more information, e-mail Dr Susie Hart at s.hart@worc.ac.uk or call her on 01905 855140.

Alternatively, e-mail Marc Scriven at marc@trybike.co.uk or call him on 07825184126. For more details about the centre, call 01905 542001 or e-mail wellbeing@worc.ac.uk.

‘I FEEL STRONGER, FITTER AND MORE OPTIMISTIC’

A PENSIONER says he feels 30 years younger after taking part in the fitness class for the last three years.

John Snow, aged 76, of Lechmere Crescent, St John’s, Worcester, says he feels more like 46 after attending the classes.

He said: “My whole body is looser. I have more energy. I just feel stronger and fitter and I have a more optimistic outlook. It does you good both mentally and physically. I can’t think of one person who hasn’t got a tremendous amount out if it.

Quite a lot of people were sceptical about dipping their toes in the water but once they have come along they have found out what a friendly group it is.”

Mr Snow says he was impressed that leaders at the University of Worcester, which runs the classes, had produced an initiative which reached out to ordinary people in the city.

He said: “This is a tremendous initiative by the university to get town and gown together. It is the university reaching out to the community and a way for people in the city to think that the university is part of their life, not just that of students. Where else can you get this kind of technical expertise for £2 a week? This is an incredible opportunity. The benefits are plain for everyone to see and they are measurable. You know what you could be before – and what you can do now. The biggest hurdle people need to overcome is their initial apprehension. They think ‘I’m going to meet all these big muscular guys’. It’s just not like that. This is so transferable to the rest of your life. You don’t find gardening such a chore anymore or playing football with your grandchildren. You can cope with everyday tasks so much better and if your body is in better shape you can walk longer distances.”

Mr Snow adapted his routine under the guidance of Mr Scriven to meet his needs. For example he has been suffering from a hiatus hernia soopted out of abdominal exercises.