New Jersey campus offers something for everyone
(Photo credit: Peter Howard)
Exercise is one of the best ways to ensure physical and mental health for life. According to the National Institute on Aging, regular physical activity is key to retaining independence, keeping energy levels up, and preventing illness and injury as we get older. Exercise also helps maintain cognitive function and can improve mood. It’s no surprise then that working out is a top priority for many of the residents at Lantern Hill, an Erickson Living-managed retirement community in New Providence, N.J.
The amenities at Lantern Hill give residents the opportunity to break a sweat without ever leaving campus. There are two gyms as well as an all-season pool.
“Residents here at Lantern Hill take their fitness very seriously,” says Fitness Coordinator Melissa Sullivan. “Both gyms have a nice selection of equipment and never feel overcrowded. Residents who prefer the one-on-one nature of personal training can do so by appointment.”
A number of fitness classes are offered, including yoga, balance and stretch, water aerobics, Zumba, and Tai Chi. For residents who want a truly at-home workout, they can tune into these classes through Lantern Hill’s in-house TV channel.
In addition to the fitness center, Lantern Hill offers a number of other modern amenities that make for a worry-free and vibrant lifestyle, including a library, theater room, woodworking shop, salon, billiards, Bocce ball courts, fire pits, arts and craft center, the Fireside card room, marketplace, an on-site medical center, and multiple dining venues serving a variety of cuisine and beverages.
Staying social and in shape
Sally Schuckman moved to Lantern Hill from New York City when the community opened in 2015. She started using the fitness center right away. As a New Yorker, she was pleased that Lantern Hill made it easy for her to maintain her always-on-the-go lifestyle.
“Exercising in the city is a way of life, with its many gyms, and it’s also the best means of getting about its densely populated neighborhoods,” says Sally.
Sally started attending Pilates classes at Lantern Hill in the summer of 2017, and has been a regular ever since.
“Pilates is a wonderful way to improve and maintain one’s flexibility and core, which includes the abdominal, low back, and hip muscles,” says Sally. “It also improves strength and balance. Best of all, the exercises can be modified to your particular strengths and weaknesses.”
Sally says that all are welcome to attend Pilates, and that after participating in Coffee and Chat sessions after class, many in the Pilates group got to know each other better and went on to form friendships. As a history buff, Sally likes to keep her mind active as well by frequently utilizing Lantern Hill’s library. She belongs to two resident-run book clubs and likes to play bridge with her neighbors too.
An ideal location
With all these amenities and 26 acres of green space, residents never even need to leave campus to lead a full life. When they do venture out, though, the town of New Providence offers shopping, restaurants, and a quaint hometown feel. Rated a top place to live in the state of New Jersey by ranking review company Niche, New Providence is situated between Berkeley Heights and Summit, and Manhattan is accessible by train in just under an hour.
For those who like to get their exercise outdoors, biking is a popular way to get around New Providence. The nearby Watchung Reservation is the largest nature reserve in Union County and offers a six-mile trail for hiking. Whether they’re on campus or in the surrounding community, those who live at Lantern Hill find these amenities help them stay active all year long.
To learn more about Lantern Hill’s vibrant retirement lifestyle, visit LanternHillCommunity.com.
About Lantern Hill: Lantern Hill, one of 20 continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living®, is situated on a scenic 26-acre campus in New Providence, New Jersey. The not-for-profit community of more than 500 residents and 300 employees is governed by its own board of directors, affiliated with National Senior Campuses, Inc., who provide independent financial and operational oversight of the community. Additional information about Lantern Hill can be found at LanternHillCommunity.com.
