New Trend: Seniors-Only Fitness Centers

It’s getting easier to find places where folks over age 60 feel comfortable.

It used to be that seniors often felt out of place in most gyms, with the high-tech equipment, form-fitting attire, and loud, fast-paced music. Today, folks over age 60 can no longer use those excuses for avoiding the gym. With America’s baby boomers entering their 60s, more and more fitness centers are catering to the senior set—and with good reason. Regular exercise is key to maintaining independence and quality of life as you age. And focusing on seniors is good business: There will be 71.5 million seniors by 2030—that’s double the number in the year 2000.

To find a senior-focused gym near you, check out the phone book for facilities like FitExpress, which offers workout equipment designed especially for seniors, or Club 50, a national franchise geared to middle-aged and older adults. You can also visit www.silversneakers.com to learn about the SilverSneakers Fitness Program, created for Medicare-eligible seniors. Or phone local “mainstream” gyms, hospitals, religious centers, YMCAs, and senior centers and ask if they offer exercise classes or programming designed specifically for those age 60 and older.