Ascend Wellness & Fitness: Elevating Health, Confidence, and Community

Kathy Nelson, Fitness Specialist • April 24, 2025

At Ascend Rehabilitation, we believe that wellness is more than just exercise—it’s about fostering strength, confidence, and connection. Our wellness and fitness program seamlessly integrates with therapy to help residents and clients improve their physical, mental, and social well-being.

Aging Well Through Movement


As we age, prioritizing health becomes essential. Exercise—whether in therapy or fitness—plays a crucial role in maintaining independence, preventing falls, and enhancing overall quality of life. At Ascend, we offer a variety of group fitness classes and personal training sessions led by skilled fitness specialists, often recommended by our therapists for continued progress.

A Comprehensive Approach to Fitness


Our fitness philosophy is built around four key elements:


  • Strength & Resistance Training – Using dumbbells, weighted bars, bands, and bodyweight exercises to build muscle and maintain functional independence.
  • Balance & Fall Prevention – Mastering single-leg stances, cone tapping, and step drills to improve stability and confidence.
  • Mobility & Flexibility – Enhancing ease of movement through specialized stretching and yoga classes.
  • Cardiovascular Conditioning – Boosting heart health and endurance with NuStep recumbent trainers, senior-friendly weight machines (HUR, Technogym), and aquatic workouts.

A Variety of Engaging Classes


We “walk the talk” by offering diverse classes at our Saint Therese and other locations, like Global Pointe Senior Living in Golden Valley, led by passionate, qualified instructors. Classes include:


  • Functional Fit – Prioritizing strength training with resistance equipment for full-body conditioning.
  • Better Balance – Focused on improving coordination and preventing falls.
  • Mind and Body – A calming space for enhancing flexibility, relaxation, and mobility with yoga.
  • Aqua Fit – Low-impact, high-benefit exercise in the pool, available at our Saint Therese campuses.


Beyond the physical benefits, these classes provide a sense of community and friendship, turning exercise into a shared, uplifting experience.


Personalized One-on-One Training


For those needing extra support, our individual fitness training program offers personalized attention in a seamless transition from therapy to fitness. Therapists design tailored fitness plans, train fitness specialists to implement them, and ensure clients receive consistent, high-quality guidance in a one-on-one setting.

 

As one client shared about his wife’s progress, “Not only have you helped her physically, but you have also given her confidence and inspiration.”

 

A Unique & Powerful Approach


Ascend’s wellness program is uniquely designed for older adults, blending the best of therapy with the best of fitness. By combining time-tested therapeutic techniques with cutting-edge fitness practices, we empower our residents to live stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling lives.

Kathy Nelson, Fitness Specialist, has been with Ascend Rehab for 12 years. She currently provides fitness training throughout the metro area including at Global Pointe, Parkshore, Saint Therese of Oxbow Lake, Orchards of Minnetonka and Brightondale.

Kathy Nelson, Fitness Specialist

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At Saint Therese, our heartfelt purpose since 1968 has been a people first approach to living well by providing senior care and services where every life we touch feels welcomed, respected, and heard. We achieve this by doing ordinary things with extraordinary love every single day. Contact us to learn more. 

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