Robson Ranch residents get their kicks during Active Aging Week

Getting fit and maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle doesn’t end as you age. In fact, it becomes even more important to help ward off disease, improve circulation and keep bones and joints in top shape.

Started in 2003 by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), Active Aging Week celebrates aging and active living each year in the last full week of September. Hundreds of thousands of individuals ages 50 or better across North America and Australia are expected to participate in wellness activities, events, and fitness classes the week of September 23^rd through the 29^th.

At Robson Ranch, an active adult community in Denton, personal trainer and kickboxing instructor Wally Sagui, will be leading community members in classes including TRX/kettlebell training, cardio kickboxing and Rock Steady Boxing for those with Parkinson’s disease.

“Active Aging Week helps create awareness about the importance of regular exercise and how it helps maintain a strong healthy quality of life,” said Sagui. “Robson Ranch residents have access to a variety of activities and classes that are convenient to them.”

Sagui has a life-long passion for exercise and is dedicated to helping others reach their goals of a healthy lifestyle and making it a reality. Sagui is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and his enthusiasm for wellness is obvious and infectious for all who meet him.

“I think kickboxing at Robson Ranch is the best program here,” said Robson Ranch resident Steve Melo. “It provides a complete full body workout in a fun way.  Not boring calisthenics but free flowing exercise that works the whole body…even the gray cells.  I take the kickboxing classes because they are a fun way to exercise the whole body and get out any aggression I might have after traveling the I-35E.”

Sagui is full-time at Robson Ranch, teaching classes five days a week.  He’s also a licensed massage therapist and enjoys making an impact on others.  “At the end of the day when someone tells me, ‘Wally, because of your classes at Robson, I’m able to get down on the ground and play with my grandchildren, go to their games with confidence about my stability and balance, and walk on cobblestone streets securely,” Sagui said. “That is why I am so passionate about teaching at Robson Ranch.”

His students enjoy his classes as well and keeping active is important to many in the community. Sagui teaches proper form and incorporates a variety of moves so students don’t get bored.

“I feel the kickboxing class is perfect for me as I have gotten older,” said DeAnna Frazier, a Robson Ranch resident. “It totally improves my balance and my coordination.  Wally is not only a great instructor but very inspiring and motivating as well.”