Corporate Fitness and Active Aging

Move Your Mood is a one-day program designed to highlight the powerful connection between physical activity and emotional well-being. The goal is simple: intentionally move throughout the day while discovering how different types of movement can positively impact your mood, energy, confidence, and connection with others. Every workout counts regardless of the activity or intensity, because movement does not have to be intense, complicated, or time-consuming to make a positive difference.

Whether you are brand-new to exercise, returning after a break, or already active most days, every bout of exercise on Tuesday, October 6 can support your community’s Move Your Mood goal and help NIFS reach our collective goal of 5,000 workouts nationwide. Every bout of exercise on any given day can help boost your mood, too!

Try one, or all, of these five simple workouts to keep moving and build momentum.

1. Take a Mood-Boosting Walk

Walking is one of the simplest ways to add movement to your day. Take a few laps around your community, walk outdoors with a friend, or follow a familiar indoor route. Start with five to ten minutes at a comfortable pace. As you feel more confident, gradually increase your time or add short periods of faster walking. You can make the experience even more enjoyable by listening to music, noticing your surroundings, or inviting a neighbor to join you.

2. Get Moving on a NuStep

NuStep equipment offers an approachable and effective workout option for people of many different fitness and ability levels. The supportive seated position and smooth stepping motion can make it especially attractive for someone who is new to exercise or unsure about where to begin.

It is also a great choice for regular exercisers who want to build endurance, increase resistance, or add variety to their routine.

Begin with five to ten minutes at a comfortable pace and resistance level. Focus on using both your arms and legs while maintaining steady breathing. You can gradually increase your time, pace, or resistance when you are ready.

3. Try a Group Fitness Class

Group fitness classes are a great way to add movement to your day while also connecting with others. Whether you choose strength, balance, cardio, yoga, or another class offered in your community, exercising with a group can make movement feel more enjoyable and help you stay motivated.

Choose a class that matches your interests and current ability level. Arrive a few minutes early, introduce yourself to the instructor, and ask about any modifications that may help you participate comfortably and safely.

Invite a friend to join you or try something new on your own. You may discover a favorite class, meet new people, and leave feeling more energized than when you arrived.

4. Move to Your Favorite Music

Choose a song that makes you feel good and move along with it. You can dance, march in place, tap your feet, sway from side to side, or perform the movements from a seated position. There is no correct routine to follow. The goal is simply to keep moving for the length of the song. For a longer workout, create a playlist with three to five favorite songs. Invite a friend or group of neighbors to join you and turn it into a fun social activity.

5. Stretch and Reset

Gentle stretching and mobility exercises can be a calming way to begin or end your day. Move slowly through a series of comfortable stretches, holding each one for approximately 15 to 30 seconds.

• Consider including:

• Shoulder rolls

• Overhead reaches

• Seated hamstring stretches

• Ankle circles

• Deep breathing

Avoid bouncing or forcing a stretch. Instead, focus on moving within a comfortable range and allowing your body time to relax.

Every Minute Matters

Your Move Your Mood workout does not need to look like anyone else’s. It may be five minutes on the NuStep, a walk with a friend, a seated strength class, or one favorite song played loud enough to make you move.

Choose activities that feel enjoyable, start where you are, celebrate each accomplishment, and remember that every movement is a step toward your goal.

Register your senior living community for our one-day event on Tuesday, October 6 as we strive for 5,000 resident workouts for mental health awareness!

At NIFS, we believe in the power of movement. That’s why our partnership with NuStep has become an integral part of NIFS Pump It for Parkinson’s, a nationwide initiative that raises awareness about Parkinson’s Disease (PD) while inspiring communities to take meaningful steps (literally and figuratively) toward better health.

Every April, during Parkinson’s Awareness Month, Pump It for Parkinson’s unites communities across the nation on a shared mission to highlight the critical role exercise plays in managing PD symptoms. At the heart of this event is the NuStep cross trainer, a machine that has not only become a hallmark of our program but also a gateway for residents to rediscover the joy of movement.

For many residents, the NuStep offers a level of approachability and ease that makes starting or returning to exercise possible. Its seated, low-impact design eliminates the barriers that often discourage seniors from engaging in fitness, especially those managing mobility challenges or chronic conditions.

In one community, a resident who had never stepped foot in the fitness center joined Pump It for Parkinson’s because of a PD diagnosis, and quickly discovered how enjoyable and empowering regular movement could be. Stories like this remind us why the NuStep is so much more than a piece of equipment, but also a bridge to better fitness.

The beauty of Pump It for Parkinson’s is its flexibility. The NuStep serves as the cornerstone of the event, but we encourage communities to build on it in ways that engage their residents and staff:

• Organizing a community-wide 1k walk event.
• Highlighting Group Fitness Classes: From cardio drumming to dance classes, we’ve seen communities get creative by adding group activities that complement the NuStep challenge.
• Inclusive Opportunities: Every step counts when building awareness, so we offer step-conversion charts and alternative activities like walking, biking, or using the elliptical trainer.

Parkinson’s Disease affects more than 10 million people worldwide, including many in the senior living communities we serve. Exercise has been shown to slow the progression of PD symptoms, improve balance and coordination, and enhance overall quality of life. By combining education with action, Pump It for Parkinson’s sheds light on these benefits while fostering a culture of wellness and inclusivity.

Throughout the event, communities host educational booths, share resources about PD, and invite residents and staff to learn more about how they can support those living with the disease. This blend of awareness and activity is what makes the program so impactful.

In 2024, participants nationwide achieved over 18 million steps, and this year, we’re aiming even higher and know we can meet our 25 million step goal. The impact of this program goes far beyond the numbers. Residents gain confidence, friendships blossom, and communities come together in ways that inspire lasting change. We’re proud to offer this event which has become hallmark for many senior living communities and invite you to join us in making 2025 our most impactful year yet!

Join us for Pump It for Parkinson's this April and help us bring awareness nationwide to the benefits of exercise for those living with Parkinson's Disease.

We have talked about the versatility of the NuStep recumbent trainer in senior living both for convenience in the fitness center layout and overall function for the population we serve in this environment. We have also provided great insight in programming a workout on the NuStep recumbent trainer and how you can creatively boost strength, endurance and aerobic function for users. That's why NuStep equipment has been a top choice for senior living communities for over 25 years. And that's why NIFS fitness pros look to NuStep.

Hear from the fitness pros at NIFS on why they love NuStep for their residents.

“We love working with the NuStep because it is an excellent option for all abilities and skill levels. The fact that it is a match for everyone, provides a safe and effective method of exercise makes it a go-to for building strength and endurance in the active aging population” – Josh, Phoenix, AZ

“No matter whether you have difficulties with your hips or joints, or have almost any other mobility difficulties, the NuStep can accommodate you. The adjustable resistance level gives all fitness levels a great workout. The hand grips and seat are adjustable to fit an incredible range of individuals in different height and weight ranges. NuStep will help to keep your muscles strong and improve blood circulation throughout your body.” – Kayla, Towson, MD

 “The NuStep is a great piece of exercise equipment when it comes to people with limited range of motion and lack of mobility. The upright posture accompanied with arm and leg movements at the right intensity can prove to be an effective cardiovascular exercise for anyone.” – Davion, Stone Mountain, GA

““I love the NuStep due to how beginner friendly it is for our residents of all ages and backgrounds. The NuStep considers all individuals with varying capabilities when being utilized.” – Michael, Terre Haute, IN

“NuStep is great because it’s easy to use and beginner friendly. Residents love using the NuStep to get their movement in, especially if the treadmill or bike is too difficult.” – Stephanie, Baltimore, MD

“I love the NuStep, because it is very user friendly! The residents are not intimidated by it, like they are with some other equipment. It’s super easy for them to adjust on their own, and they don’t have to press a lot of buttons to get it started.” – Michelle, Baltimore, MD

“Our residents love the NuStep.  It is the most popular piece of equipment in our Fitness Center.  As a fitness professional, I love the features that it offers.  The ability for people to exercise both the upper and lower body.  The ease of getting in and out, the adjustable swivel seat, the familiarity of the equipment as many people transition from rehab to general fitness.  The NuStep gives wonderful back support and is simply a terrific piece of cardiovascular equipment.  You can pump up the resistance and have a challenging workout too!” – Jane, Palm City, FL

“I love the NuStep because it is easily accessible, which is an important factor in a senior living setting. A wide variety of residents can operate the machine safely and get an effective workout as well.” – Adrian, Indianapolis, IN

It’s a no-brainer on why we chose NuStep for Pump it for Parkinson’s as we considered exercise options that would accommodate ranging abilities. This free event will provide education on the benefits of exercise for those living with Parkinson’s during Parkinson’s Awareness Month and communities can engage both their residents and employees together. Whether your participant is a newbie to exercise or very fit, the versality of the NuStep is sure to give them a great workout! We invite your senior living community to join us in this free program to help us achieve our goal of completing a million steps to honor the one million Americans living with Parkinson’s! One location will be the lucky winner of a free NuStep T6 Cross Trainer!