Always Active Program

Always Active at Aquatic Park and the Downtown Centers

Aquatic Park and The Downtown Center are 2 of 9 locations in the city selected by San Francisco’s Department of Aging and Adult Services to host the Always Active program. Always Active staff deliver educational and activity programs designed to achieve the following aims:

1-     Encourage members to understand the importance of exercise in maintaining life- long function and health

2-     Help each interested member develop an individual  exercise plan that considers their medical, and orthopedic  condition and that  includes activities in each of the key areas of fitness-strength, flexibiity, balance and aerobic capacity.

3-     Provide members  with an opportunity  to participate in regular on site exercise activities

4-     Provide an opportunity for members with balance issues to periodically participate in a specialized class designed to reduce the likelihood that they will fall

How Do I enroll in always active?

1-     Contact Jim Spinelli, the Always Active exercise specialist for both Downtown and Aquatic Park. His phone number is 415-513-3337. Jim will explain the program activities to prospective members and help them complete the enrollment process.

2-     New members must fill out several forms and get a release from their physician to participate in an exercise program.

Ongoing Activities:

·       Individual fitness planning and counseling

o       At both Aquatic Park and Downtown Centers Jim Spinelli, the Always Active fitness specialist, will invite all new participants to work with him to develop an individual fitness plan.

o       The plan will:

§         consider any presenting medical issues that affect capacity to exercise,

§        Include  the 4 types of exercise that make up a complete exercise program

§         help the participant develop long and short term fitness/health goals

o       Jim will follow up periodically with participants about progress towards achieving their fitness goals and, when necessary, help members stay on or, if necessary,  get back on track.

·       Exercise class at Aquatic Park:

o       Ongoing exercise classes that teach and train strength, flexibility, aerobic and balance exercises in a group setting.

§        Schedule:

·        Monday and Wednesday at 12:30 pm

·       Exercise Class at The Downtown Center:

o      Ongoing exercise class that combines strength, flexibility, aerobic and balance exercises in a group setting.

§       Schedule

·       Wednesday at 11:00 am and Friday at 1:00 pm

·       Friday at 11:00 am (this is an advanced class. Only members who receive permission from the trainer join this class).

Periodic Activities and Classes

·       Special Falls Prevention Classes:

o      As part of the Always Active program the University of San Francisco conducts fall prevention classes periodically at all of the designated always active sites.  There is not a specific schedule for the falls prevention class. Each time they offer the class at a site, always active staff members and center staff will recruit members to fill a class (a maximum of 12 participants). The falls prevention class is offered two times per week and it goes for 12 consecutive weeks. Members interested in the falls prevention class must apply in advance to the Falls Prevention Program Manager. They will be screened to determine if they meet the eligibility requirements. To be accepted they must also agree to attend all classes during the twelve week program. If you have any questions about the falls prevention class you can contact Jim Spinelli, the always active fitness specialist.

·       Health and wellness Education talks:

o      Periodically, the Always Active program will sponsor talks, lectures and workshops regarding health and fitness. These talks will cover topics such as:

§        the physiology of aging;

§       the impact of exercise on the aging process;

§       exercising as part of prevention or recovery from common medical conditions such as arthritis, heart disease and osteoporosis;

§       falls prevention;

§       How to start an exercise program

§       putting  together a good fitness plan;

o       Notice of these activities will be posted in the news letter or bulletin board at the centers.

·      Contact

o     For further information or to enroll in Always Active:

o     Call Jim Spinelli at 415-513-3337