Senior Life

By Isadora Pennington

There’s no doubt about it, regular exercise is an important part of living a healthy and balanced life. We can all recall when we were kids, when it felt like you could run as fast as the wind, and nothing could ever hurt you. Over time, we learn that’s not exactly the case. If you don’t use your muscles, they don’t stick around. With age comes added difficulty for doing even mundane activities. This is true especially for seniors, who are at added risk for muscle atrophy and chronic health problems due to inactivity.

According to research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), Americans 18 and older are exercising now more than ever before. Financial concerns, accessibility and scheduling are some of the reasons frequent exercise can be a challenge for seniors. Fortunately, there are programs that aim to bridge the gap between elders and appropriate exercise routines. One such program is SilverSneakers, a national fitness initiative that has partnered with more than 13,000 fitness locations across the country. The classes are often covered by insurance, or are otherwise very affordable compared to most gym memberships, which makes them substantially easier for retirees to afford.