Living Longer Living Stronger is a safe, effective, and affordable strength and balance program, specifically designed for people aged 50 to 100+. It aims to improve strength, balance, coordination and endurance through regular resistance and balance training.

COTA NSW (Council on the Ageing NSW) has partnered with Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD) to launch the program. The classes will be delivered by local exercise professionals who have completed specialised training to be accredited as a Living Longer Living Stronger instructor.

All participants meet with their instructor for a one-to-one assessment prior to starting classes. The instructor then develops a tailored program which takes into account their particular issues and needs. This ensures they get as much as possible out of their class and reduces the risk of injury.

"Improving strength helps older people stay independent," said COTA NSW CEO Meagan Lawson.

"Being stronger means you can carry your shopping, climb stairs and play with your grandkids. You can keep doing the things you want to do.

"Strength training also has health benefits. The Living Longer Living Stronger program can help improve bone and muscle strength and slow down wear and tear. It can speed up metabolism which may help maintain a healthier body. And it can reduce the chance of injuring yourself because you are stronger and you have better balance."

Classes are friendly and sociable and the instructors make a special effort to make sure that everyone feels comfortable, even if they haven't been to an exercise class before. And they are also very affordable - charges vary according to the qualifications of the instructor, ranging between $50 - $85 for the assessment and $8 - $15 per hour for the classes.

"We are excited to be able to refer people to the Living Longer Living Stronger program once they have finished our active ageing programs such as Stepping on and HALO (Healthy and Active for Life Online)," said MNCLHD Health Promotion Coordinator Trish Davis.

"It's so important that older people in our community can continue along their health journey with a program like Living Longer Living Stronger to achieve healthier outcomes, improved wellbeing long-term, as well as the added social benefits."

Contact the provider directly for more information about the classes and to book your assessment: