boomerhealthandfitness.com

Baby boomers represent a huge and fast growing segment of our population. For the next 20 years someone will turn 50 every 8 seconds. The current generation of middle aged and senior citizens is the most active in history. The combination of longevity, labor saving devices, medical breakthroughs, and disposable income have contributed to a unique opportunity allowing us to pursue fitness goals into advanced age. Additionally, the general sedentary nature of our lives forces us to become active in some way if we wish to preserve our health and independence into our golden years. This situation is one that was certainly not available to our grandparents and, only in more limited ways, to our parents.

Increasingly, fitness clubs geared toward seniors and the boomer generation are springing up around the country. Although fitness centers often intimidate older adults who aren’t accustomed to exercising, senior fitness programs are specifically designed for this age group and fitness professionals can now be certified as senior fitness instructors or senior personal fitness trainers.

Senior fitness programs provide classes that focus on improving strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. They are targeted to accommodate a wide range of physical abilities, fitness levels, physical limitations and conditions such as arthritis, loss of strength and loss of flexibility. Study after study has shown that seniors are not only capable of strenuous exercise, but can vastly improve their health, strength, mobility and independence, using exercise as a tool.

Before I convince those of you boomers who are hard core exercisers that senior fitness programs would be of little benefit to you, let me make a couple of points.

–First, the activities and programs are geared toward your individual fitness levels and goals. So if you’re a power lifter, don’t worry that you’ll be stuck in a corner using exercise bands.

–Second, maybe you’d like the camaraderie of working out with others in your age group. There’s the sense of shared experiences that, try as you might, you won’t find with the attractive 25 year old hard body on the treadmill next to you.

–Third, you may be able to impart some of the knowledge and information you’ve learned over the years to fellow boomers and seniors.

–Fourth, it could open up an entire new circle of friends for you. People you share common interests with….maybe hiking, biking or a mean game of badminton.

Listed below are several websites for senior or boomer fitness programs. In addition, check your local adult education flyers for senior fitness classes and programs.

Club 50 Fitness Centers

Sorry, it’s late and I didn’t bother to check each state to see where all the franchises are located. It appears to be hit or miss. Hopefully, you live in a demographically favorable area and there’s one nearby that you can check out.

http://www.club50fitness.com/

Gold’s Gyms

Some locations participate in the SilverSneakers program (see entry below). Gold’s also offers an AARP Fitness Program that has reduced rates for AARP members.

http://www.goldsgym.com/healthy/aarp.php

Miracles: Fitness for Seniors, Baby Boomers, Women & the Physically Challenged^TM

They have locations in NJ, IN and LA.

http://www.miraclesfitness.com/

Nifty After Fifty

They currently only have locations in Southern California.

http://www.niftyafterfifty.com/

SilverSneakers Fitness Program

SilverSneakers is a national fitness program offered through Medicare and other health plans. It provides older adults with fitness center memberships, including some Gold’s Gyms and YMCA/YWCA locations.

http://www.silversneakers.com/Default.aspx

YMCA

Plug in your zip code to find Y’s in your area. Most have programs for seniors.

http://www.ymca.net/

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