Gyms are going gray

Hart, who is 62, says the fact that he is working in his current job is a sign that the fitness industry is becoming more senior-friendly. "Ten years ago I wouldn't have been here," he says.

Many members are focused on working out so they can stay in their game, be it tennis or golf, he says. Others realize that if they don't get some activity, their quality of life will diminish.

Experts say that people who keep active can help themselves to remain mobile and independent as they age.

More than just age alone
Hart offers a chair-based exercise class, along with yoga and Pilates, but he says many seniors are out on the floor doing what their younger counterparts are doing — treadmill, bench presses and more — maybe just on an easier level.

Of course, some older exercisers keep pace better than others, he says, so "we program the individual not the age."

This concept also is in practice at Matrix Fitness Centers, with four locations in New Jersey and New York. These centers are affiliated with local hospitals, and trainers and doctors work together to develop and monitor a person's fitness regimen, says president Dan Lynch.

Members are put through a battery of tests to assess their health status and fitness level, and to determine their "body age," says Lynch. Then, an individualized exercise program is devised.

When Lynch opened the first center in Pompton Lakes, N.J., a year and a half ago, he says it was aimed at aging boomers and seniors. But now there's a wider range of clients, including overweight teens and new moms trying to shed the baby fat after delivery.

The intimidation factor
He says mainstream health clubs simply may not appeal to a lot of people, including seniors.

"The intimidation factor is huge in that age bracket," says Lynch.

Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for the American Council on Exercise in San Diego, agrees. He says that overall, health clubs haven't done a great job of attracting seniors or developing age-appropriate programming for them.

"There's much more opportunity to better serve that market," he says.

This is why no-frills chains like Curves, which appeal to older, less fit individuals, have been so popular, he says.

For seniors interested in starting a fitness regimen, Clark, of the American Senior Fitness Association, recommends getting a check-up first. "If they've been sedentary, they need to get medical clearance from their personal physician," she says.

Then, start slowly, such as with a walking or swimming program, if doctor-approved.

In general, Clark advises against step aerobics for seniors because of potential issues with balance and depth perception. And she recommends low-impact activities that are easy on the joints.

Clark also cautions that some activities that seem safe might not be. Certain yoga positions, for instance, may require stretching a joint too far, she says, so it's important to seek out an instructor who takes senior health issues into account.

Seniors also should talk with a personal trainer at their health club about which equipment is safe. Lynch says his clubs use specialized equipment with larger numbers and hand grips that are easier for people with arthritis.

For those who prefer to skip health clubs altogether, there's always walking around the neighborhood or at home with a yoga or Pilates video.

And one equipment company, Continuing Fitness in Lake Forest, Calif., is just coming out with a line of home equipment for seniors. Their first product, the Resistance Chair, allows users to strengthen their muscles with resistance provided through cables.

MORE FROM SMART FITNESS

Smart Fitness Section Front

Can working out wear you out? Get fit, faster, with short-burst training Can exercise get rid of this dude’s ‘moobs’? Find the right workout machine for you Pump up the volume, pump up your workout With parkour, the whole world's a playground Capri pants bare scourge of summer: ‘cankles’ ‘Phantom fat’ can linger after weight loss Exercise not likely to rev up your metabolism Power lunch? Squeeze in a speedy workout Smart Fitness Section Front   Add Smart Fitness headlines to your news reader: