Aquabikes Installed At Benson Senior Facility

SANDY SPRINGS, GA —Fulton County seniors who use the Dorothy C. Benson Senior Multipurpose Facility can now exercise in the pool with seven new Hydrorider Professional Aquabikes.

The Friends of Benson sought and received an $8,500 grant from The Sandy Springs Society for the new water exercise alternative and donated the remaining $4,645 toward instructor training, bike ordering and shipping charges. Benson Fitness Program Coordinator Nicole Wyche said that the facility’s Aquabikes are a first for Georgia.

After the idea for the alternative water exercise was presented to Facility Manager Sabrina Hudson
by Friends of Benson Board member Harvey Levitt, he researched the idea of Aquabikes and visited a YMCA in Knoxville, Tennessee, to observe the program.

Following the visit, Friends of Benson President Russell Sellars submitted the grant request, and Benson is now home to seven Aquabikes and one Spin Bike.

Fulton County District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis expressed his appreciation to Friends of Benson and The Sandy Springs Society.

"We commend The Sandy Springs Society and the Friends of Benson for their financial support in bringing this valuable equipment to the Benson Senior Multipurpose Facility," said Ellis. "We believe Aqua Cycles offer another fitness alternative for seniors in need of low impact options that are easier on joints and muscles."

(For more news like this, find your local Patch here. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here)

The Benson Facility is currently conducting workshops for seniors interested in participating in future classes. The workshops are scheduled every Monday and Friday from noon to 1 p.m. Seniors are required to register to try out the bikes by calling the Benson Senior Multipurpose Facility at 404-613-4900.

Aqua cycling classes provide a low-impact, high intensity workout that keeps participants’ joints, bones, and muscles protected from injury. Participants can aqua cycle at many levels with workout adjustments made by the certified trainer and the individual as needed.

Images via Fulton County