As we age, staying physically active is key to living a longer, healthier life. To meet this need, it’s important for fitness facility operators to offer the right type of programming to older adults.

Seniors have the time, money, and incentive to invest in fitness, making them a valuable and – at 13 percent of the U.S. population – a significant demographic in the fitness industry, but bland classes that treat this group as frail will no longer cut it.

Now more than ever, seniors are seeking fun, engaging programming that focuses on functional fitness. They want to improve their condition and mobility rather than simply stave off the degenerative effects of aging.

At the same time, it may be more important than ever for seniors to engage in effective, challenging fitness regimens. Approximately 27 percent of seniors in the United States are obese, which can contribute to age-related illnesses and complications. Engaging in physical activity is one way for seniors to combat the risk of obesity and improve their overall quality of life.

Attractive and challenging programming can be difficult for seniors to find and represents a barrier to entry. Readily available programming that focuses on challenging exercisers, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), boot camps, weight lifting, and functional training, is often not geared to the needs of the aging population. It can pay for fitness facilities to develop moderate- to high-intensity programming that is relevant and comparable to other popular training programs, but tailored to the aging demographic.

Where can operators and fitness directors start in developing standout programming that will capture seniors’ interest and loyalty? It’s critical to first understand what seniors want intellectually and socially out of a workout, as well as what they need physically. Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA, shares an in-depth look at how to develop senior programming that meets these goals in her free webinar, “Create Cutting-Edge, Targeted Workouts for Boomers,” which you can watch below:

Webinar Title: Create Cutting-Edge, Targeted Workouts for Boomers

Presenter: Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA

Sponsor: Precor

Description: Create targeted, functional exercise programs for generally healthy, moderate- to high-functioning midlife participants by following the seven principles developed by fitness expert Kymberly Williams-Evans. Learn how your group fitness classes can help boomers lead active, energetic lives.

Learn how to:

• Depend on seven principles to guide your programming and class design.
• Choose exercises that support the functional ability of boomers.
• Select language, cues and options that minimize fears and maximize activity for the over-50 participant.

Who will benefit:

• Group fitness instructors
• Personal trainers
• Program managers and wellness directors

About the Presenter:

Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA, is a fitness professional and edu-tainer who has taught on four continents over three decades. Currently co-owner of Fun and Fit: Active Aging Answers for Boom Chicka Boomers, she is a former faculty member in the Department of Exercise and Sports Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Williams-Evans holds the Functional Aging Specialist certification and enjoys helping people in midlife reap the benefits of movement.

Host: International Council on Active Aging, www.icaa.cc

866-335-9777 or 604-734-4466 or [email protected]

Return to Workouts and Training Tips​