‘Superagers’ at Naples senior living community stay fit through indoor fitness classes

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — As summer heat and afternoon storms settle into Southwest Florida, residents at The Vi at Bentley Village are finding a way to stay active without letting the weather interrupt their routines.

Several mornings a week, residents gather for an advanced fitness class that mixes cardio, resistance training, weights, bands and even a two-minute plank. The class is designed for older adults looking to stay strong and active as they age.

For Lani Wheeler, the workouts are about staying healthy enough to keep doing what she loves.

“I got into serious strength training when I was getting close to 70,” Wheeler said. “I'm a competitive tennis player, and I really wanted to prevent injuries.”

Wheeler said building strength now gives her a better chance to remain active for years to come.

“As we get older, we all know that if we don't increase our strength, it's gonna decrease,” Wheeler said. “And I wanted to be able to keep staying active for many more years.”

The class is led by fitness manager Eileen Pitel, who calls many of the participants “superagers”, older adults she says are aging especially well by staying active, social and engaged.

“I've seen amazing transformations,” Pitel said. “So many of our residents are really in the best shape of their lives at this point.”

Indoor classes also give residents a way to stay consistent during the summer months, when high heat and storms can make outdoor exercise more difficult.

“We are so fortunate to have a nice, cool fitness studio where we can take part in just a wider array of classes here,” Pitel said.

For Nancy Sorboro, making time to exercise is non-negotiable.

“It's a personal priority,” Sorboro said. “I feel good. It makes me feel better when I work out.”

Pitel said the advanced class includes residents in their 70s, 80s and 90s, with exercises modified to fit different ability levels.

For Wheeler, the goal is simple: keep moving.

“I turned 76 next month, and I just feel wonderful,” Wheeler said. “I really admire some of the other women in our class who are a little older, and I hope to be like them when I'm in my 80s and 90s.”