April 3, 2023 —In a Fitness and Sports Activities Zoom panel featuring residents and staff at Kendal at Lexington, viewers and prospective residents got a comprehensive look at just how easy it is to stay active and engaged in and outside the Kendal community.
Unlimited Opportunities
Whether it’s pickleball, swimming, golfing, bicycling, walking, hiking, kayaking, water aerobics, volleyball, wiffleball, ping pong, strength training, stretching, yoga, Pilates…even jump-up-and-down enthusiasm for one’s favorite team, opportunities to reach top physical potential are limited only by the imagination.
On the sidelines – but every bit as important – are the mental and social benefits of physical activity, too.
Hosted by Marketing Associate Kevan Kavanaugh, the panel featured residents Alice Correll, Bob and Suetta Harrison, John South, Bob Kramer, Bruce Dwyer, and Fitness and Wellness Managers Victoria Forman and Kristen McCabe.
Residents Stay Fit and Active
Donning a Rockbridge Pickleball Club shirt, Alice opened by sharing her passion for the paddle game that is booming in popularity. Discovering pickleball in 2013, the 35-year resident of Lexington caught on sooner than most.
“That doesn’t mean I’m good; it just means I’m persistent!” joked Alice. Along with players in the Rockbridge club, she enjoys the inclusive, social game with residents in two pickleball groups at Kendal. “Come join us!” she invited.
Among “so many activities available” at Kendal, Suetta Harrison enjoys the physical and social benefits of daily strength and stretch classes and Pilates. She plays a little pickleball, too.
“But my main love is swimming,” said Suetta, whose passion runs deep in Kendal’s 50-foot indoor heated pool, built in 2008 as part of a sunlit, state-of-the-art Fitness and Wellness Center featuring a fitness room with topflight exercise machines and Keiser compressed air weights (no pin changing!), a massage studio, showers, changing rooms, lockers, and restrooms.
Suetta’s husband, Bob, relishes walking the scenic hiking trails in the area and exploring nearby downtown Lexington on foot. With the city’s two college campuses and beautiful, historic homes, there is much to take in. Bob may also be the only resident who gets his exercise maintaining his own yard!
Lifelong golfer John South joins about a dozen other resident golfers in his favorite game at the Lexington Golf and Country Club, where he’s met “many wonderful people” in the greater local community.
Bruce Dwyer, who literally helped forge new paths on the Kendal campus, takes to the road most often on his bicycle, recently riding 20 miles “just to make sure I could still do it,” says the adventurous outdoorsman.
Super Fans
Bruce also notes the plentiful opportunities for spectator sports, with teams to cheer at Virginia Military Institute and Washington and Lee University, both in Lexington.
“My wife and I can walk to the games,” he said.
Also on the sports bandwagon is resident Bob Kramer, who’s known as Kendal’s number one most enthusiastic Virginia Tech sports fan. A former varsity baseball athlete and Army man, Bob can be found in the Kendal fitness center or on the trails nearly every day. “We’ve got a lot of wonderful places to walk,” he remarked.
Committed to Health – Body, Mind and Spirit
Victoria and Kristen expressed their commitment to fostering holistic well-being, offering over 30 fitness classes and programs five days a week for all levels of interest and ability.
“Our primary goal is to keep residents independent as long as possible,” said Victoria.
Key components of fitness at KaLex are strength and conditioning, balance and mobility, cardiovascular health, mind/body practices such as yoga and Pilates, assessing and tracking progress, and tailoring appropriate adjustments.
Fun is also on the agenda. For just one example, Kendal’s aqua aerobics class is playfully dubbed “Aqua-Oke” for the spontaneous singing and dancing it inspires.
Friendly encouragement and openness to ideas are also paramount, as are personal connections to every resident.
Noted Suetta, “Victoria and Kristen know us individually. That is a huge gift to each of us.”
Kendal at Lexington is open for tours and Try It visits. Contact us today!
