Regular activity can help manage diabetes and hypertension, increase good cholesterol and decrease bad cholesterol. It also comes with a great bonus gift: an improved sense of mental well-being.

There’s more than enough research to prove that moving the body for 20 minutes to an hour each day improves all aspects of health, according to Greg Weatherholt, personal trainer and promotions coordinator at Meadow Lakes in Mooresville.

The goal since the nursing home and assisted living complex opened in 2006 has been to make it simple for seniors to exercise.

The New Energy Wellness Center at Meadow Lakes is a no-brainer for the body with specially-tailored equipment.

The services are month-to-month, with no long contracts, and are available free to Meadow Lake residents, said Meadow Lakes director Barb Witzke.

“It’s very important to our population to maintain their strength as they age,” Witzke said. “So we make it easy for them. Anyone, including those who don’t live at Meadow Lakes, age 50 and older, can come in for a free assessment and try out the center for one month without any obligation. A physician gives permission for a resident to participate, and Greg can specifically tailor exercises for each individual.”

Weatherholt, with a masters degree from Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis in physical education, specializing in exercise science, also works part-time at the Indianapolis YMCA.

“I started out in the mechanical engineering field, but you spend all day in front of a computer. I enjoy the people aspect of this job,” Weatherholt said. “I also coach wrestling on the side. I just like helping seniors to feel better.”

Helping make that happen is The Next Generation Nautilus 2ST equipment designed for seniors.

Most people increase speed in four to six weeks, Weatherholt said. But with older individuals, other health conditions come into play, such as arthritis, osteoporosis, heart and circulation problems, so it may take some a little longer to adjust.

The equipment is low-impact with wider seats, more padding and hydraulic lifts. The weights increase at smaller increments and on the exercise bike, pedals can be removed for upper-body conditioning.

The program is based on a sports medicine philosophy with 48 hours between sessions for optimal strength building.

Not only are the machines beneficial, but also the center itself is attractive to the AARP-crowd. It’s not as intimidating to seniors as a regular gym, Weatherholt said, where they compare their aging bodies to young, well-sculpted physiques.

“There’s no loud music or weights banging while they’re trying to concentrate. And there are only about four or five people here at one time,” he said. “We train seniors here from age 50 to 93. I measure oxygen saturation, heart rate and blood pressure during their workouts.”

He added that some people can only do eight minutes on the bike or treadmill. Others can go 20 minutes or more. But moving a little bit is better than not trying at all.

“I feel better all over,” said Beverly Mountcastle, a regular exerciser. “I come at least three times a week. It keeps my blood pressure and cholesterol levels down.”

Edna Zipoff agreed, saying she tries to come three times a week and brings her husband, Chuck, who is working with Weatherholt to strengthen his arm muscles.

Shirley Goodwin said it’s not just the health benefits of the center that keep her coming.

“I have a treadmill at home, but I don’t use it as much because it’s more fun to come here and talk

to people. I’m definitely lighter on my feet,” Goodwin said. “And it helps my energy level. I’ve been coming here since the wellness center opened, and

I love it.”