Gdynia Design Days: Movement in the art of ageing and free training for seniors.
On 24-29 June this year, the Gdynia Film Centre Gallery will host the exhibition entitled “The Art of Ageing,” which touches on the integration and activation of older people. The event will be accompanied by “Senior in good shape” physical activity classes – open training for people of mature age, which will take place on Sunday, 29 June at the city beach in Gdynia Śródmieście. The “Art of Ageing” exhibition and classes are part of the 18th edition of the Gdynia Design Days festival. Admission to the events is free.
– Ageing is a process that will affect each of us sooner or later. At the exhibition we show how various fields – from architecture, through design, to technologies and solutions facilitating physical activity – can respond to the needs of seniors and recognise their creative potential and the value of experience. It is also a project about care – about the body, relationships, independence – says Aleksandra Majdzik-Cisowska, designer and co-curator of the exhibition.
Integral cutlery for seniors, an old age simulator or innovative projects supporting mobility are just some of the exhibits that inspire thinking about the future with responsibility. The creators of the exhibition show that ageing is an issue that affects every one of us – and it is worth acting today.
It’s beautiful to live an active life
By 2050, the percentage of people aged 65 and over will reach almost 30%.[1] The average life expectancy of an average European is also increasing (by 20 years after the age of 65 on average).[2] What can we do to make our lives not only longer, but also better? Prof. Ernest Kuchar, a specialist in sports medicine and infectious diseases from the Medical University of Warsaw, emphasises the pro-health importance of systematic physical activity at any age.
– Regular physical activity can prevent, delay and reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some cancers, as well as improve wellbeing, mood, sleep and cognitive abilities. For years, scientists have been observing the beneficial effects of physical activity on limiting the ageing process, also at the level of cells and human DNA. In short – exercise improves the quality of life, promoting “healthy ageing” – says Prof. Ernest Kuchar.
At “The Art of Ageing” exhibition, the importance of physical activity and the role it plays in health prevention and maintaining fitness at the old age are symbolised by MultiSport cards. The fact that the importance of regular physical activity for better functioning at any age should be constantly emphasised is evidenced by the survey results presented in the “MultiSport Index 2024: Sportcrastination” report. They show that every third Pole still does not undertake any physical activity during the month (including walking or cycling). The least active are the older generations – X and Baby Boomers, but as Prof. Kuchar emphasises, it is never too late to start moving. – Even people who have avoided exercise for years will benefit from incorporating moderate exercise into their daily routine. It is crucial to consult a specialist first. It is worth considering the fact that in countries such as Finland, Sweden or the Netherlands, which are distinguished by the high level of sports activity of their citizens, movement is prescribed under the name of "prescription for activity", dosing it similarly to drugs – he explains.
According to the Multisport Index 2024 survey, health prevention is the second (after pleasure) most frequently indicated reason for taking exercise by physically active Poles. This motivation only becomes stronger with age.
Time to move – on 29 June!
According to Prof. Kuchar, the recommended type of physical activity, regardless of age, should consider the current state of health, the body’s efficiency, as well as any limitations resulting from comorbidities. However, there are safe and universal types of physical activity, provided that their intensity is adjusted to the individual capabilities of a given person. These include general group exercise classes that improve muscle flexibility, range of motion in joints, balance and overall fitness. They also have a social aspect, as they motivate and counteract social isolation. This is particularly important considering the results of a survey conducted by the Polish Red Cross, which show that over 40% of Polish seniors feel socially isolated, and most people over 60 live alone.
To encourage mature people to get their daily dose of exercise, the MultiSport Foundation is organising open training sessions on Sunday, 29 June 2025 at the city beach in Gdynia Śródmieście. Group classes, led by a trainer, will be held every two hours at 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00. Depending on their preferences, participants can exercise barefoot (recommended option) or in sports shoes. They should remember to wear comfortable clothes and have a bottle of water to drink with them. They can also bring a sleeping mat, blanket or towel. More information can be found here: https://gdyniadesigndays.eu/program/senior-w-dobrej-formie-treningi-na-plazy-dla-osob-dojrzalych
About the exhibition
The curatorial team of the “Art of Ageing” exhibition consists of Aleksandra Majdzik-Cisowska, as well as Izabela and Szymon Serej. The exhibition partner is MultiSport, which has been facilitating access to various forms of activity and sports facilities for over 20 years. The programme also includes educational activities on the importance of regular exercise for health and better quality of life. The “Sportcrastination” campaign, as part of which a video guide has been created in which a trainer debunks common myths about the gym – which is also a place for people of mature age, is currently underway. Publicly available, free materials can be found at: www.kartamultisport.pl/sportkrastynacja.
1,2,6,9 Health at a Glance: Europe 2024 | OECD
2White Book. Experts’ recommendations in the field of health care.
Barbara Jastrzębska
Sandra Dobrowolska
Benefit Systems has been operating on the Polish market for over two decades and is one of the leaders in providing non-financial benefits that support employee wellbeing. The company is the creator of the MultiSport Programme, which enables physical activity in sports facilities throughout the country. Its portfolio also includes the MyBenefit cafeteria platform and the Multi.Life wellbeing programme. For several years now, the company’s sports offer has been developed on foreign markets, including the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Croatia. The Benefit Systems Group also operates fitness clubs (in Poland it is responsible for Fabryka Formy, FitFabric, Fitness Academy, Good Luck, My Fitness Place, Saturn Fitness, StepONE, Total Fitness and Zdrofit networks). An important area of Benefit Systems activities is the promotion of an active lifestyle at every stage of life, which is why the company implements initiatives supporting physical activity of children, adults, and seniors, also as part of the MultiSport Foundation. Since 2018, Benefit Systems has been part of the global B Corp initiative, bringing together companies operating and engaging in solving the most important social problems. More information can be found at benefitsystems.pl/en.
