Benevilla recently confirmed a Wednesday, Aug. 10 ribbon cutting date for its Benefitness adaptive gym, its latest program designed to meet a need in the Northwest Valley.

Joanne Thomson, president, and CEO of Benevilla, and Lorrie Karn, Director of Benefitness will host the 9 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony with Surprise Mayor Skip Hall and city council members, Benevilla board and staff, local business partners and community dignitaries.

The public is encouraged to join the event to help the 41-year-old Surprise-based nonprofit Benevilla celebrate the occasion.
The Benefitness Adaptive Gym will start classes and programs and be open to the public in mid-July. The gym has been “taking shape” over the last few months as equipment, furnishings and exercise accessories have been installed.

The gym will offer modified equipment for individuals in wheelchairs, people who have limited motion, and those who are differently abled so they can meet their health and wellness goals.

Benefitness is a program providing specialized individual and group fitness training to the Northwest Valley community of older adults and those with different abilities, including those with early onset diagnoses (e.g., Parkinson’s, dementia, MS, and more) looking to improve physical efficiencies, mental acuity, strength, balance, and overall wellbeing.

Each member will be coached to reach individualized wellness goals to improve their health and enrich their lives.

The adaptive gym will also have a room dedicated to the Rock Steady Boxing program. Rock Steady Boxing is dedicated to the fight against Parkinson’s.

Exercises are inspired by boxing drills. Rock Steady boxers condition for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork, and overall strength to defend against or overcome the decline related to Parkinson’s.

Through a community survey and a community needs assessment, Benevilla learned many older residents did not know how to exercise properly, did not have access to proper adaptive equipment, and did not receive adequate support from gym staff who were used to younger gym members.

They often lacked the patience and understanding for the specialized needs older individuals or individuals who are differently abled have.

“We are so excited to be opening the first location in the Northwest Valley to offer an adaptive gym and Rock Steady Boxing to those in our community facing the challenges of aging and early stages of dementia,” says Lorrie Karn, Benevilla director of benefitness. “Our program will help improve the quality of life of our members, improve their strength and balance and improve their ability to perform routine tasks of daily life.”

A healthy food and smoothie bar, Birt’s Café, will be available in the gym as well as the “Retreat,” a unique caregiver respite and relaxation space with massage chairs, aromatherapy, water feature and a conversation area.

Highly trained staff will work one-on-one with each family to set specialized and attainable goals for each member. In addition, the gym will have an array of equipment not specifically “adaptive” as well that can be used by the public to meet their health goals including stationary bikes, cross trainers, strength equipment, free weights, and core equipment.

For information or to sign up for updates, call Benevilla at 623-584-4999.