Residents at nine ACH Group homes are in training for their own ‘spin off’ of the Santos Tour Down Under, set to coincide with the professional event from Monday 20th January to Friday 24th January.
About 200 residents will ride exercise bikes over the course of the week, competing to clock up the furthest distance possible. Winners will be crowned for each stage, before an overall champion is declared at the end of the week.
The challenge aims to encourage exercise and healthy competition between residents, while building excitement for the Santos Tour Down Under.
Among those participating is former construction worker Nick Buniak from ACH Group’s Kapara Residential Care Home, who said the challenge is a fun way of staying fit and fostering some healthy competition between residents.
“Most of the time when I come to the gym it is as much about having a chat and a laugh than it is exercising, but during the Santos Tour Down Under it’ll be a bit different,” he laughed.
“I used to ride regularly when I lived in Sydney and about 15 kilometres was my regular round trip.”
Nick said he attended the start of the Santos Tour Down Under twice and was excited to be connected with the race in a small way through the ACH Group cycle challenge.
ACH Group CEO Linda Feldt said the challenge connected residents to the community during an exciting time in South Australia.
“There is such a buzz and excitement around the Santos Tour Down Under, not just across South Australia but in our aged care homes as well,” Ms Feldt said.
“By having this challenge, it provides a great avenue for our residents to be connected to their community and engaged in this world class event.
“It is also great for their health and social engagement which is so important for all of us as we age.”
Santos Tour Down Under Assistant Race Director Carlee Taylor said the challenge was a great way to get retired residents engaged with the event.
“Encouraging exercise with the fun of light-hearted competition brings some of the best elements of the Santos Tour Down Under into ACH Group homes.”
“Those taking part can feel some of the buzz which riders experience when they put their mind and body to the test, and we’re thrilled to have even more supporters planning to make their way to the track when the professionals pass by.”
ACH Group is a full-service provider of choice for older South Australians and is one of the few providers that offers fully equipped gyms, staffed by professional personal trainers, in all its residential care homes.
In addition, ACH Group offers three Health Studios across Adelaide including the recently opened $5 million Health Studio Rostrevor. These Health Studios feature world class equipment and offer a range of health and wellness class and access to allied health professionals.
ACH Group is preparing a range of social events throughout the week, including watch parties and day trips to the professional race.
The participating ACH Group homes are Milpara (Rostrevor), Highercombe (Hope Valley), Healthia (Elizabeth South), Vita (Daw Park), Kapara (Glenelg), Colton Court (McLaren Vale), Perry Park (Port Noarlunga), West Park (Goolwa) and Yankalilla (Yankalilla).
Published: 10 January 2025
Pictured: Carlee Taylor – Santos Tour Down Under Assistant Race Director, Linda Feldt – CEO ACH Group, cheering on residents at Kapara Residential Care Home.