This story is an inspirational story of a woman in her “golden years” finding a need and then creating a product to fit that need.
A new exercise system from BigBand Fitness provides a convenient, effective, and affordable product designed to improve the strength and flexibility older Americans need to get up and down stairs, hold grandchildren, carry packages, dress, and perform other activities of daily living.
The BigBand is the invention of a grandmother for those who wanted to maintain an independent lifestyle by improving her fitness level. Best of all this invention is convenient, effective, and affordable. It is designed to improve the strength and flexibility needed to get up and down stairs, hold grandchildren , carry packages, dress and perform other activities of daily living.
More than 80% of older Americans (over 40 million people age 65+ or older) get no regular exercise (Newsweek, March 2007). Yet many in this age group fear losing their mobility and independence.
“The fitness industry tends to focus products on the already exercise-conscious active older adult’ and overlooks the majority of seniors – those who still resist exercising because of conditions such as arthritis and lack of established habit,” says BigBand Fitness Founder Deborah Blank.
Blank is a retired corporate trainer, entrepreneur and grandmother, she observed that many of her friends lacked the strength and flexibility to enjoy activities with grandchildren.
By investigating this problem further, she found that a large numbers of older people living on their own struggle with daily activities, are concerned about further physical decline and find traditional “gym” equipment intimidating and difficult to use.
Blank approached Carol Levy, a certified senior fitness trainer to learn more about senior fitness. Levy, who teaches fitness classes to people in their 70’s and 80’s, expressed frustration with uncomfortable and unwieldy exercise aids such as latex resistance bands, weights and balls that she used in her classes. The two women saw a market opportunity for a comfortable and affordable fitness program that could help the less active older adult preserve independent living.
To find out more about The Big Band Fitness System please go to: www.bigbandfitness.com.
And remember to live your life to aspire and inspire with HerBigIdea.com.
Elaine of Her Big Idea, writes for Posh Mama Online Magazine and Social Network every Tuesday.
