STAFF PROFILE: Michael Kubas – Fitness & Wellness Coordinator
Michael Kubas has recently joined Applewood as the Fitness & Wellness Coordinator. He is a certified health & well-being coach and most recently served as a certified personal trainer, strength and conditional specialist and group fitness instructor at the CentraState Fitness & Wellness Center. Michael holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science from Montclair State University and has 10+ years of experience working with older adults and helping clients manage chronic conditions through targeted fitness and conditioning.
“I enjoy working with older clients, especially those who may be new to fitness,” Michael explains. “Newcomers soon realize that exercising feels great mentally and physically, so they keep coming back.” The fitness professional notes that the senior body responds positively to exercise and, in turn, helps people sleep better, have a more positive mental outlook, reduce pain and improve flexibility. “Exercise and strength training offers significant health rewards with just a little regular effort,” he notes.
Michael oversees day-to-day operations at the Fitness Center, including:
- Group fitness classes
- AquaFitness and water fitness
- No-fee personal training
- Balance assessment and strengthening
- Equipment and weight training
- Fitness introduction for newcomers
Also leading fitness and wellness education, Michael hosts monthly exercise science lectures about topics related to seniors, such as diabetes, illness and injury recovery, arthritis, joint replacement, Parkinson’s disease management, weight management and balance training.
Michael’s primary goal in 2023 will be to encourage more residents to use the Fitness Center and heated indoor swimming pool regularly. “Applewood has a wide variety of indoor and outdoor fitness amenities available to residents,” he notes. “I’ve been impressed seeing several residents using the equipment daily.”
On-campus amenities include a variety of fitness classes, including country line dancing, cardio and stretching group classes, in addition to the Applewood Bike Share; outdoor lighted walking and bike trails; bocce and shuffleboard courts; driving net and putting green; and a modern fitness center with cardio equipment, weights and fitness balls.
“The most important aspect about exercise is that it’s never too late to start moving your body to improve your health and longevity,” Mike says. “There’s never a better time to start than now!” Residents may schedule a one-on-one assessment and personal training sessions with Michael on the sign-up sheet in the Fitness Center.