Fitness specialist encourages good health at The Orchards

On a recent blustery morning, Brenda C., a resident of The Orchards at Southington, persevered on the NuStep cross trainer to exercise her legs and arms simultaneously. “I enjoy taking walks outside but certainly can’t at this time of year,” she said as her progress was checked by exercise physiologist Christine Solimini-Swift, M.Ed., CHES, CEP, RMT.

In promoting wellness to achieve the highest quality of life, The Orchards at Southington, located at 34 Hobart St., offers GoodLife Fitness. The program features one-to-one exercise designed to enhance strength, stamina, balance, flexibility and mobility. In addition, exercising regularly can build self-esteem and offer socialization. Solimini-Swift, upon consultation with the individual’s personal physician, develops an exercise plan with the person’s abilities and goals in mind.

Solimini-Swift holds extensive experience in the clinical, educational and corporate settings. Her experience includes working in public schools, health centers and the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain, and in the community as a wellness practitioner, mentor and public speaker. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Education - Health Promotion and Wellness and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She is also a certified health education specialist, certified exercise physiologist and Reiki Master Teacher. She began at The Orchards on Dec. 11.

To further wellness, The Orchards offers residents the fitness program, “Get Fit.” Each week day, Solimini-Swift leads this group class which focuses on strength training, balance and coordination, seated yoga, movement to music or balloon volleyball. The classes are open to all residents and are held in either the morning or the afternoon, to give a variety and flexibility to their schedules.

“Growing older is not for sissies - staying active and eating well are essential to healthy aging,” Solimini-Swift said. “I love listening to our residents’ stories, about growing up and about their families - They are living history books. I am honored to be in their presence – they just amaze me!

“And if I can help make their lives more independent and healthy, that means the world to me – I’ve done my job,” she said.

The Orchards at Southington offers independent and assisted living, and is a not for profit member of Hartford HealthCare Senior Services. For more information about The Orchards at Southington, visit http://southingtonorchards.org. GoodLife Fitness, which is offered to the public, has eight locations including two others in Southington: Southington Care Center, 45 Meriden Ave., 860-621-9559 and Mulberry Gardens at Southington, 58 Mulberry St., 860.276.1020.