Bend and Stretch Reach for the Sky: Fitness at Broadview Pushes the Limits

Carol Portale bent her head to her knee and stretched her arms as far as they could go, grabbing her ankle. She flexed and pointed her toes, then released the pose. Carol and a dozen or so other older adults in her morning fitness class followed along as the instructor took them through a series of twists and stretches.

For the past year, Carol has been coming to Brendan Marinelli’s fitness classes at Broadview at Purchase.

“I’ve really noticed a change,” said Portale, who moved into the senior learning community on the campus of Purchase College in December. “My kids can’t believe how much stronger I am. I’m walking 10 times faster, I’m much more flexible.  I’ve even lost some weight.” she said.

That is music to Marinelli’s ears.

“I’ve worked at a couple of places, but by far this is the most engaged community,” he said. “I try to push as hard as I can so everyone can have the most enriched lifestyle. The key is knowing where the breaking point is, so no one gets hurt.’’

Marinelli teaches three different types of fitness classes each day Mondays through Fridays at Broadview. He leads an enthusiastic group of students 60-80 plus years-old through chair stretching, balance and strength training classes. It’s part of an extensive offering of programs and amenities at Broadview, which is set on 40 acres with walking and exercise trails and offers a swimming pool, fitness center, movie theatre, spa and salon, dining venues, and on-site health center, among other features.

Marinelli said that there are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to exercise and older adults. Not only does exercise, including lifting weights, improve flexibility and mobility, but it can also help to build stronger bones and fight Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Balance training is also extremely important because falls are a major threat to seniors.

“All the research points to the need to fight osteoporosis, osteopenia and sarcopenia, the breakdown of bone and muscle,’’ he said. “There has always been a misconception that you shouldn’t lift heavy weights when you get older because you could fracture the bones, but a lot of studies now show that by lifting weights you are creating more bone, so as you get older, you want to lift weights.’’

Marinelli is no lightweight when it comes to knowledge about the human body and how to improve its function.

A gym rat who played hockey in high school, Marinelli decided early on to make athletics his career. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sports exercise psychology and a master’s degree in kinesiology (the science of human movement). Marinelli worked with physical and occupational therapists at NYU while he was working as an exercise physiologist.

Marinelli says he enjoys working with older adults because it is so rewarding to see the gains they make. He and Kate Abate, Director of Community Life & Intergenerational Development at Broadview, as well as a professional bodybuilder and a wellness professional herself, have developed a comprehensive wellness program at Broadview. In addition to Marinelli’s classes, residents can take yoga and dance and other movement classes, some of them taught by students from Purchase College.

Marinelli said he and Abate recently added two new programs: Ageless Athletes, which focuses on games like ping pong, cornhole and other gentle sports; and Dual Tasking, which combines physical and cognitive movements to combat Alzheimer, dementia and Parkinson’s.

“I love seeing people on day one coming in a little hesitant, but gaining confidence in their abilities as they progress week after week,’’ he said. “This is a great group.’’

Marinelli’s students are just as enamored of him.

“Everybody here loves him,’’ said Claire Bronitt Stevens. “I had a personal trainer for 28 years before I moved here, and Brendan is 1,000 percent better. He pushes us to do better.’’