Main article: Finding Joy In Shared Activities

While physical activity promotes physical capacity, the exercise groups for the elderly also keep the mind alert. If you want to start being more physically active, support for it is available.

“Health is a precious thing. It is important to maintain fitness to be able to manage daily chores such as carrying your shopping bags,” says Pena from Hakunila. He is a peer instructor for two gym groups that practice weekly in the senior gym at the Hakunila Health Centre.

There are several dozens of gym groups in Vantaa with peer instructors intended for people over the age of 60. The groups rely on volunteer peer instructors such as Pena. Peer instructors are regular members of the gym groups, but they can also advise other members on how to use the equipment and help new members settle into the group.

Pena is a veteran as a peer instructor; he has been involved in the activity for 15 years. 

“When I retired, I did not really have anything special to do, and I wanted to have something to pass the time. I used to play sports when I was younger, so exercise was a natural choice. It is great that the city provides this kind of activity!

Activating both the body and the mind

Nowadays, Pena shares the peer instructor duties with his friend, Esko. Being active and spending time together is an important part of the gym groups.

“We are not always that serious about working out. Some of us live alone, so it is important to have a group of people with whom you can talk and socialise. We like to catch up and joke around,” Pena says. According to him, the most important thing is to come to the group and exercise at least a little.

Starting an exercise routine is easier with a sports buddy 

If you would like to have support for establishing a more physically active routine or returning to an old hobby, the sports buddies of the City of Vantaa are ready to help you. Seniors involved in the activities get personal support from a sports professional – their own sports buddy. A sports buddy can help you find a way to make your daily life more physically active and even try out different sports with you.

The sports buddy activities are intended for Vantaa residents over the age of 65 who live at home.

You are welcome to join us  

• When you attend peer-instructed exercise groups, you get to go to the gym and play games such as badminton and boccia.

• There are also high-quality and inexpensive instructed exercise courses for seniors, including different sports from gymnastics to water exercise. Read more at vantaa.fi/en/seniors.

• Instructed exercise courses for the elderly are also provided by Vantaa Adult Education Centre. Explore the selection at ilmonet.fi.

You can also enquire about the services by phone 

• Peer-instructed exercise groups:  tel. +358 50 314 6402 (recommended calling times Mon–Tue and Thu from 9–11)

• Instructed exercise:  tel. +358 9 839 246 01 (recommended calling times Mon–Tue and Thu–Fri from 9–11)

• Sports buddies: tel. +358 40 352 1506

Welcome to participate in the sports panel for the elderly held on 3 October

The sports panel for the elderly discusses senior citizens’ needs and wishes – what things would promote your physical activity? In the sports panel, you can influence how the sports services of the City of Vantaa will be developed in the future. The next sports panel for the elderly will be held during the Week of Older People, from 13–15 on 3 October, at the parish hall of the Virtakirkko Church in Myyrmäki.

Additional information and signing up by phone, tel. +358 40 352 1506.

_{This article was published in Residents' magazine 3/2023. Read the other articles on the resident magazine home page!}