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Health Promotion Visitation Paper
Jessica Mills
HESC/GERO 450-50
Professor Dominick Sturz
March 28, 2014
Nifty After Fifty
“Customized Fitness and Physical Therapy”
“Cane-Fu” & “Chair Aerobics”
Aerobics/Strength training/balance
Instructor Steve
Nifty after Fifty
12572 Valley View Street
Garden Grove, CA 92845
(714) 823-4400
www.niftyafterfifty.com

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Purpose
Nifty after Fifty is a fitness center for individuals who are of fifty years of age and older. Its’
founder Sheldon S. Zinberg, M.D, first introduced this fitness center in 2006 in Whittier
California, based off his knowledge that active seniors benefit from a longevity of health over
sedentary seniors. It’s grown since then to become the “Home of NueroDynamic Fitness”. The
primary purpose of Nifty after Fifty is to bring good health to seniors though many unique
programs. Some of the great services offered are physical therapy, nutritional counseling,
BrainAerobics, Diabetes Prevention Program, Healthy Living with Chronic Conditions, Enhance
Eccentric Muscle Training, and Computer Simulated Driving Skills. All of these services cater to
the senior citizen demographic in communities. The “Cane-Fu” and “Chair Aerobics” primarily
focuses on using group interaction as a way to motivate members and engage in exercise. “Cane-
Fu” is a play on word for Kung Fu where the class involves Kung Fu like moves and cardio.
Objectives
Although the classes I attended were both so different, they shared similar objectives. The
objectives for these classes include: staying engaged throughout the whole exercise, following a
warm up and cool down, increasing the heart rate, and incorporating the three basic components
of fitness. The three basic components of fitness include cardiovascular training, strength
training, and flexibility. The level of fitness for these seniors determines the level of intensity in
these workouts. The “Cane-Fu” and “Chair Aerobics” classes have objectives that are
appropriate and applicable to the elderly demographic while promoting health and wellness.

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Major Health Components
The classes covered three out of the five major health components of fitness: muscular
endurance, cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility. Muscular endurance was covered because
the members were required to carry and lift their cane in “Cane-Fu” throughout the entire
workout, along with constant and varying arm movements. Members could either bring their
own canes or a flex fitness bar was available for them to use, which was five pounds. “Chair
Aerobics” challenged their muscle endurance due to its sustained arm movements and leg lifts
from a seated position requiring a source of muscle strength. This is the point at which I saw the
distinct differences in fitness level within the group; however each individual was free to move
within their own abilities and encouraged to not quit. Cardiovascular endurance was a
component of the classes because they were thirty minutes each, and within them was at least
fifteen to twenty minutes of higher intensity aerobic movements. In later discussion the instructor
Steve commented to me that he had to slow down the class from its original choreography due to
the abilities of the members. Nonetheless I could see that the members had their hearts pumping.
Lastly, flexibility was covered in the classes. The instructor incorporated multiple stretches
within the warm up and the cool down for both classes. This seemed to challenge the seniors, but
I was impressed to see their commitment. Improving flexibility could monumentally help
prevent future injuries.
Activities
Starting with “Cane-Fu”, the class warmed up with leg and arm stretches, shoulder rolls, head
rolls, and balance exercises. The balance exercises included weight shifts from side to side and
front to back, heel and toe raises, and lifting the foot to stand on one leg. They also repeated

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some slow sustained squats in the warm up. As the instructor transitioned into the Kung Fu
portion he led a series of step jabs to the four corners of the rooms alternating arms high, low,
and to the side. He also did some twisting with the whole body and switched up the stepping
pattern. This seemed to be a great example of exercising the brain as well as the body and getting
the members out of their comfort zone with the support of others. The cool down to follow
resembled the warm up with added dynamic and static (active) stretching. The whole class was
thirty minutes long. Moving on to “Chair Aerobics” the members and instructor gathered chairs
to form a circle and everyone took a seat where they would remain seated for the thirty minute
class. They started with some marching and the group seemed to be take this time to chit -chat
and get each other motivated. There was an elderly woman in a wheel chair who was helped into
a chair in the circle, she could barely do the movements in the class, however she was trying and
an aid was there to help her. As the class progressed, instructor Steve led them to activities such
as arm curls, leg lifts, holding the leg up (and switching sides), lifting the legs up in a small circle
motion, moving the arms in a rowing motion, and marching while punching. Then they were
instructed to speed march, run in place, and sprint, which was some great interval training for
them. After this they slowed down and did a variety of stretches. I was very surprised to see the
variety of stretches all while sitting in a chair. The instructor led the whole workout for both
classes speaking loudly to give a play by play of the next move. This type of leadership was
great for the members to succeed in their workout and prevent any confusion.
Outcome measures
Outcome measures are by definition the assessment of an intervention such as development of
any goals and objectives established. There were not any patient/ participant outcome measures

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for the classes I attended, and this is most likely because it’s a casual class with no registration
requirement for it is included in the membership. Steve did however mention to me that the
facility did assessments for all its members every six months. A membership to Nifty after Fifty
also includes a customized Fitness Program, Instructing, and Coaching. Both of these special
assets in membership offer great individual attention and patient outcome measurement
opportunities.
Participant Evaluations
The classes did not provide participant evaluations for the same reason of having no outcome
measures for class members. As the participants continue to attend classes they should see
themselves improve over time. Whether it is holding the cane up a little bit higher or finally
getting to touch their toes, the participants will achieve that self-satisfaction on their own,
perhaps in addition to feeling proud that their peers saw them. In this way it can be considered a
self-evaluating class.
Cost
There are three different types of membership if one decides to sign up with Nifty after Fifty
clubs. The first is the “Keep Fit” at $39.95 per month, which includes exercising up to 2 times a
week at the club, a complete Fitness Assessment, a customized Fitness Program, Instruction and
Coaching, a Home Exercise Program, and a Nifty after Fifty Nutritional Program. The next tier is
the “Shape Up” membership priced at $49.95 per month that includes the preceding membership
qualities plus an allotted 3 days of exercise at the club instead of 2, BrainAerobics to improve
memory and problem solving, a Reviving Your Driving Program, and one special class per

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week. The highest membership opportunity is the “Shape up Ultimate” priced at $59.95 a
month, in addition to a one-time $50.00 enrollment fee. This golden membership includes all of
the benefits previously mentioned but the member is allowed up to 5 times a week exercise, and
is offered unlimited group classes. I consider all three of these memberships to be a good deal
because they include various benefits for the individual that far surpass any regular gym
membership in comparison. The elderly tend to have more leisurely time but that does not
necessarily mean more money. A majority of seniors are living on Medicare and a low income if
any. In this regard the financial burden of a monthly payment may be too costly for some,
however the benefits out weigh the costs such as decreasing medical expenses that could arise if
their health diminishes. The Nifty after Fifty memberships offer unique services to seniors that
improve quality of life, which is hard to accomplish on ones own at such an age. This guidance,
aid in resources, emotional support, and improvement of health makes these memberships cost
appropriate and continually rewarding.
Program Director/Class Instructor
The class instructor Steve also happened to be the Exercise Program Director for the club in
Garden Grove. He graduated from California State University of Long Beach with his Bachelor
of Science in Exercise Science. He is currently attending the Masters Program at California State
University of Fullerton for Clinical Exercise Science. In the past two years that he has taken an
interest to clinical exercise and even more specifically the older generation. He has been working
at the Nifty after Fifty Club in Garden Grove for about six months and loves the facility and its
members. Although it has only been half a year working in his position at Nifty after Fifty, he

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has made an imprint on the exercise department. Members mentioned that they enjoy his
instruction, charisma, and compassionate heart.
Recommendations
I have heard of Nifty after Fifty prior to this assignment and had even driven by one, but I was
surprised to see all of the opportunities and how well developed the facilities are upon research.
The part that impressed me the most was its uniqueness. The elderly is a unique demographic
and requires special care. This facility is also great because I saw a wide range of older
individuals, thus achieving primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention for age susceptible
conditions. Individuals I saw exercising ranged from doing pull ups, to strengthening joint
problems, to showing up in their walkers and wheelchairs. I found it inspiring and was pleased to
see these individuals being taken care of, given social support, and taking responsibility for their
own health. Nifty after Fifty is a club that I would recommend to any senior citizen and I hope to
see this as our future; a higher health awareness and wellness among individuals, especially as
we age.
Other thoughts/ comments
Overall my visit to the wellness center was rewarding, encouraging, and inspiring. I felt
welcomed as a visitor and part of a family as soon as I entered, from the Instructor and the
members. Nifty after Fifty is a relatively new club, but I can see the dedication it has to its
individuals and its limitless potential. This made me feel encouraged to work with senior citizens
in my own profession one day, which I had never considered before. My visit also made me feel
more compassionate for the elderly patients that come into my work, a chiropractic office. I felt

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inspired because centers like these exemplify that healthy living and bettering ones self has no
age limit. I am inspired to maintain my own quality of life well into my years, my friends’ and
families’, and potential patients in the future.