A 14-week programme at a Seaford gym helped residents aged 60 and over build strength, regain confidence, and form lasting new social connections.
The programme at Whittfit Training Gym in Seaford focused on strength, core stability, balance and flexibility and was funded by Active Eastbourne & Lewes as part of the Active Sussex Stronger for Life Programme.
Delivered in partnership with One You East Sussex, the project ran from May 12 to August 11, 2025 and offered 40 tailored sessions to a small cohort of seven participants.
A programme designed around real need
Local insight and post‑COVID data presented at a network meeting in Eastbourne highlighted a worrying trend: adults over 60 were engaging in far less physical activity than before the pandemic, contributing to a decline in overall health.
Whittfit Training Gym had already seen a rise in older adults joining their facility, so the team recognised a clear opportunity to offer structured, supportive strength training to this demographic.
With funding secured, four coaches delivered a twice‑weekly programme focused on six core strength and stability exercises, complemented by regular balance testing and stretching.
Sessions were initially delivered in a circuit format, but as the group’s varied abilities became clearer, the team adapted the structure to ensure smoother progression and more personalised support.
What changed for participants
All participants showed measurable improvements by week 14. These included:
– Increased upper and lower body strength
– Improved technique and confidence with resistance exercises
– Longer session duration as participants were able to tolerate more volume
– Steady progress through the three planned training progressions, with some moving ahead more quickly but all achieving positive change
Coaches also adapted sessions when participants missed weeks due to other commitments, ensuring no one was left behind and everyone could progress at their own pace.
The unexpected outcomes that mattered most
Beyond the physical improvements, the programme sparked something powerful: a sense of community.
Participants created their own WhatsApp group, began arranging walks together, and – most significantly – all seven chose to continue their strength training after the programme ended, joining the gym to maintain their progress.
What began as a funded intervention became the start of long‑term behaviour change.
This peer‑led motivation is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable impact. It shows that the programme didn’t just improve strength – it helped people feel connected, capable and committed to their own wellbeing.
Demand far exceeded capacity
With only seven spaces available, the programme filled quickly. Interest was so high that Whittfit Training Gym launched a second course for an additional eight people.
The appetite for strength‑based activity among older adults in Seaford is clear, and the team is confident that, with further funding, regular over‑60s strength courses could be delivered to meet ongoing demand.
Why this project made a difference
The programme addressed a post‑pandemic decline in physical activity among older adults with a targeted, evidence‑informed intervention. Its impact extended far beyond the gym floor:
– Improved physical health through increased strength, balance and mobility
– Greater confidence in using resistance equipment and exercising independently
– Reduced isolation through new friendships and peer support
– Sustained behaviour change, with all participants continuing their training
– Community capacity building, as demand for similar programmes continues to grow
For funders, this project demonstrates how a relatively small, well‑designed intervention can deliver lasting improvements in health, wellbeing and social connection, particularly for a demographic at risk of inactivity and declining physical function.