Active aging means something different to everyone, we believe it’s most rewarding when practiced in a social setting. Why not challenge your brain and body together for the ultimate benefit?  We offer group fitness and cognitive skills based boxing classes tailored for older adults and seniors with flexible levels to accommodate a wide range of abilities.  Participants can join in anytime, year-round.  This program is designed for the general population, blending non-contact boxing with brain and body exercises to foster new motor skills, sharp thinking, social connection and resilience. Exercise helps older adults feel stronger, more balanced and energized for everyday life. It sharpens the mind, boosts mood and builds confidence, making it easier to stay active and connected.  We offer two levels which are based on overall fitness, balance and mobility.  While age is a factor it is not a determining factor, we will help you to find the best level to keep you safe and challenged.

Integrative Brain and Body Fitness Training

Integrative brain and body fitness training simultaneously targets both brain and physical health. This training involves stimulating activities and exercises designed to boost cognitive abilities like memory, focus, and problem-solving while enhancing physical fitness, including strength, flexibility, balance, and endurance.

Healthy Measures

Our Healthy Measures service sets a fitness, mobility, and balance baseline upon arrival and tracks progress with post-evaluations. This helps refine participant training goals under a licensed practitioner’s guidance, keeping you and your physician informed.

Comprehensive Support

Our team includes a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Kinesiologist, Physiotherapy Assistant, Registered Nurse and Registered Dietitian, ensuring a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach. We emphasize fitness, nutritional guidance by Healthy Thymes, and social connectedness as key components of healthy aging.

Physical Activity for Brain Health
and Functional Independence

This preventative and early intervention approach to aging is particularly beneficial for healthy older adults and seniors, as it helps maintain cognitive function and physical capability, promoting continued functional independence. Where suitable and with internal screening along with the guidance of the family physician we also include training opportunities for those at risk for or diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, early-stage dementia, diabetes, hypertension and other age-related conditions.  This video depicts one of the Parkinson’s-specific classes and is set in our previous location.  In June of 2024, we relocated to a spacious 7,000 sq. ft. space, Silvertip Training Centre, an age-friendly facility.

Useful Articles

Grizzly Strides was featured in The Globe And Mail (2023)

“Boxers in a brightly lit Calgary gym, lunging gloved fists at punching bags, aren’t training for an amateur three rounds or the championship distance of 12 rounds. They’re fighting against a lifelong opponent – Parkinson’s disease.”

Words From The Professionals

We asked some of our medical background clients what they think of our programs.

I enjoy this class because it allows me to do Parkinson’s specific exercises in a fun atmosphere. Darcy provides coaching that is supportive for people of all abilities, and she encourages us to work hard to develop athleticism and boxing skills. Spending time with other people with Parkinson’s has helped me a lot and the group is welcoming.
Tammy Hnatyshyn, Registered Nurse
A few months after my diagnosis with PD, I learned about Grizzly Strides. There are several peer reviewed journals highlighting the positive impact of exercise in PD so as a way to be an active participant in my health journey, I decided to join. I have felt more empowered and also I have found a community of support.
Indira Caro, Registered Psychologist
I have found this program to be very beneficial, as it includes aerobic exercise, training to improve balance, fine motor and cognitive skills. Moreover, the program is fun and has an important element of social interactions. The trainers are great to work with and I always enjoy my twice weekly sessions at the gym.
Robin Cox, MB BS FRCPC, Retired Anesthesiologist
As a person living with Parkinson’s I cannot say enough about the physical therapy provided by Grizzly Strides. The program challenges our bodies and our minds in ways that address the unique features of the disease, all while in a community of people with Parkinson’s. It is a highlight of my week!
Peter Gant MD, Emergency Medicine (Ret)