Back to all articles

Live Your Best Summer Life at The Village at Germantown

TVGT Zumba Image

Our fitness philosophy is rooted in fun, which is why our classes are so popular.

Summer is a great time to shake things up—and you’ll find plenty of ways to do that here. Our fitness classes are a perfect way to work your mind and your body, which is very empowering. Even better, they also create “feel good” emotions that carry on through an entire day, helping you to be your happiest self.

Our Indoor Fitness Center Is Always in Season

Memphis is known as a “hot city,” but in summer—heat is more literal than proverbial. Sweltering afternoons make our two-story fitness center even more appealing. With our indoor walking track and plenty of state-of-the-art weight training machines, stationary bikes and treadmills, you can beat the heat and work out with your friends and neighbors in air-conditioned comfort.

And it’s just not summer without a dip in the pool. It’s always a good day for lap swimming or water aerobics in our indoor saltwater pool. It's heated too, which is wonderful for soothing muscles and joints.

The more we use our bodies, the better they serve us. Staying independent longer is easy at The Village because there are so many ways to establish a solid fitness routine. Our full spectrum of group fitness classes includes Tai chi, gentle yoga, stretch-and-flex and other classes, all designed to promote balance, mobility and relaxation. Adding a little extra aerobic activity to your daily routine can also do wonders for your energy levels and outlook.

Dancing Through Life

Humans were meant to dance; and for many of us, it can be impossible to stop our feet from tapping along to a good beat. Dance-based exercise classes like line dancing and Zumba continue to be some of our most popular because dancing seems to make people happier.

Zumba instructor Kris Stewart wasn’t always a dance teacher. It was something she picked up in her 40s and this self-proclaimed “former couch potato” was surprised at how quickly Zumba changed her life. As a certified instructor, she’s been able to spend the past 10 years sharing her passion with each class.

What Exactly Is Zumba?

Zumba is the fastest-growing fitness program in the country, with an estimated 15 million people currently taking classes worldwide! The Zumba craze began in 2001 and has been steadily popping up all over the world ever since. Zumba is a Latin-inspired fitness dance class that’s found quite a following among seniors because it’s an energetic cardio workout that’s upbeat and downright fun. Latin-pop fusion music is a central part of the class and it’s sure to put you in a good mood.

As a regular attendee of workshops and training sessions, Kris knows just about everything there is to know about Zumba. “It started with the four very easy-to-learn salsa-based rhythms, then expanded into many different styles of international music and dance, which is cool to see. Once you get the basic steps down, it’s easy to follow an instructor’s cues.”

Kris gets new instructional Zumba CDs, DVDs and booklets regularly and is always looking for ways to keep it fresh. Her classes are about giving people more confidence and raising their heart rates.

There are a few levels of Zumba intensity, but most classes for people older than 60 are Zumba Gold which puts more focus on flexibility and balance. Zumba Gold is a great workout for seniors, because like any physical activity, it’s also good for cognitive health.

“We do a lot in our Zumba Gold classes. It's a cognitive exercise, but it's also a balance exercise, which is huge for this age group. I try to always include at least one balance song where they're either tapping out front or to the side, or even lifting that foot up, and to the side. That also engages the core. There’s so much more to it than just dancing,” Kris concluded.

Invest in Yourself This Summer!

Are you looking for a fun way to feel your best? If your retirement living search is focused on amenities like state-of-the-art fitness and aquatics facilities, you’ll definitely want to check out The Village at Germantown this summer. We have a dedicated team of certified trainers and specialty instructors ready to help you achieve your goals and stay healthy. Join us for a visit by calling 901-737-4242.


Share this post: