Heron’s Key has an inclusive and exciting fitness program that is set to be enhanced with more offerings from new fitness specialist Heidi Morales who joined the team in July 2022. Morales comes to the community with more than 12 years of experience in the fitness industry including time teaching at a senior living facility in Texas.
She has 20 certifications in group fitness as well as personal training certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine and in nutrition. She is a specialist in the Washington state-based Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) fitness program that is geared toward adults 65 years of age and older. The curriculum focuses on evidence-based exercises that help improve strength, balance and fitness and thus help reduce falls.
Morales has a mind-body approach to fitness, explaining, “Maintaining a positive attitude is important because the mind controls the body. Working out and keeping the body strong also means there is less to worry about and more time to enjoy retirement.”
She also believes the body is a never-ending project and by igniting a passion for fitness the people who take her classes will have new pathways to long, healthy lives. This fall she will be adding barre classes and strength training for women at Heron’s Key, which will join already popular offerings such as yoga, tai chi, Zumba and interval training. Barre classes have been popular at boutique fitness studios and focus on high-rep intervals of low-impact movements. The classes are said to help improve balance, build a stronger core for stability and increase flexibility.
Morales will also be coordinating longer-term fitness challenges for the residents that will allow them to build fitness goals and have new milestones. Currently, she has set up a weight loss challenge, and there will be more in the coming months.
Outside of her work at Heron’s Key, Morales is an NPC pro bodybuilding bikini/figure national athlete and is training for her first professional show in the Pacific Northwest, which will happen this fall. She also was in the U.S. Army from 2005 to 2010 where she worked as a military police officer, and holds a degree in biblical studies from the Density Christian University in Texas and an associate in business from Baruch College in New York City.
To learn more about all of our fitness and wellness opportunities call us today at (877) 892-7129 or contact us online at Heron’s Key.
