By Jennifer Jimenez
Mail | Twitter: @SCW_Independent

Benevilla wants the community to come out 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 10 to the Ribbon Cutting/Grand Opening event for the Benefitness Adaptive Gym.

Joanne Thomson, president, and CEO of Benevilla and Lorrie Karn, director of Benefitness will host a ribbon cutting ceremony with Surprise Mayor Skip Hall as well as City Council Members, Benevilla board and Staff, local business partners and community dignitaries. Help the 41-year-old nonprofit Benevilla celebrate the occasion.

Benefitness is a unique program providing specialized individual and group fitness training to our community of older adults and those with different abilities, including those with early onset diagnoses (e.g., Parkinson’s, dementia, MS, and more) looking to improve physical efficiencies, mental acuity, strength, balance, and overall wellbeing. Each member will be coached to reach individualized wellness goals to improve their health and enrich their lives.

The Benefitness Adaptive Gym formally opened in July and has already exceeded projections for membership. The gym offers modified equipment for individuals in wheelchairs, people who have limited motion, and those who are differently abled so they can meet their health and wellness goals.

The adaptive gym also has a room dedicated to the Rock Steady Boxing program. Rock Steady Boxing is dedicated to the fight against Parkinson’s. Exercises are inspired by boxing drills. Rock Steady boxers condition for optimal agility, speed, muscular endurance, accuracy, hand-eye coordination, footwork, and overall strength to defend against or overcome the decline related to Parkinson’s.

Through a community survey and a community needs assessment, Benevilla learned many older residents did not know how to exercise properly, did not have access to proper adaptive equipment, and did not receive adequate support from gym staff used to working with younger gym members. They often lacked the patience and understanding for the specialized needs older individuals or individuals who are differently abled have.

“We are so excited to be opening the first location in the Northwest Valley offering an adaptive gym and Rock Steady Boxing to those in our community facing the challenges of aging and early stages of dementia,” Lorrie Karn, Benevilla director of Benefitness said.  “Our program will help improve the quality of life of our members, improve their strength and balance and improve their ability to perform routine tasks of daily life.” 

A healthy food and smoothie bar, Birt’s Café, is also now open in the gym as well as the “Caregiver Retreat” a unique caregiver respite and relaxation space with massage chairs, aromatherapy, water feature and a conversation area.

Highly trained staff work one-on-one with each family to set specialized and attainable goals for each member. In addition, the gym has an array of equipment not specifically “adaptive” as well that can be used by the public to meet to help meet goals, ncluding stationary bikes, cross trainers, strength equipment, free weights, and core equipment. For more information, call Benevilla at 623-584-0065.

Jennifer Jimenez
Reporter | Sun City West
@SCW_Independent

jjimenez@iniusa.org

Meet Jennifer

In 2020, Jennifer Jimenez began working for Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA. She began her career as a sports reporter in Peoria and Glendale, covering the very same schools she used to compete at.  During this time, she also worked for television news, magazines and sports radio stations.

Community: Jennifer is a member of the Hall of Fame at Peoria High School where she graduated in 2001, alongside her father Joe Hernandez. She serves youth soccer players as a pro-trainer and coach.  

Education: Grand Canyon University 2005 B.A. Liberal Arts

Ranom Fact: She has a street named after her in south Peoria “Jennifer Rose Court.”

Hobbies: Country dancing, coaching soccer, teaching private swim lessons and running are things she does for fun.