Exercise and Fitness

I retired in 2010 and am in the same boat. I was very active in my job when working and knew I'd put on weight after I retired. For awhile I stayed fairly active and lost the initial pounds I put on after a couple years. Then, no surprise, the weight started coming back and at this point I'm horrified by how much I weigh and how much muscle mass I've lost. I'm 'only' 68 and hate how out of shape I am.

Even though I have been taking a senior aerobics class twice a week, it hasn't been enough to get me back to where I want to be. I got the info from my retirement system and medicare both about silver sneakers and thought I'd try it. So this past Tues I went in to the local YMCA and asked for an orientation/tour and the place offers everything as someone else mentioned. I was actually impressed by how nice it is. Weds I had an 'evaluation' which was just talking to a young woman that looked like she is 12, but of course much older. She just took notes as to what my goals are and physical limitations I have etc. She showed me how to work the treadmill and exercise bike which is what I wanted to start with and said when I'm ready I can talk to any of the trainers to move up to the other machines if I want to.

They offer all kinds of classes as well--senior aerobics, yoga, swimming etc etc. There are also gym events like 'pickle ball' which I have heard before is very fun but I don't think my knees would take it. (It looks like tennis with giant ping pong paddles!) I believe you can also get personal attention if desired.

My understanding is the silver sneakers can be used at more than one place at a time. Eg-there is a 24 Hour Fitness place right around the corner from me and I think I could also go there as well as the Y. I chose the Y as I thought it might be less busy than the 24hr place. I've been lucky so far that the hours I've gone I had no problem getting to use the machines I wanted. I suspect that after work hours it could be busier.

So far I've gone Weds, Thurs and today for an hour each, using just the bike and treadmill. I am really happy with the place so far. I just go in, swipe my card, go to the machine, work out and leave, no hassles, no trainer hovering over me--great! There are lots of trainer people around though, if you need help. The treadmills, bikes, ellipticals all have touch screen panels that are the same so it's easy to learn how to do it on one and it works for all, at least at my facility. I used my kindle set on the screen to read as I walked/pedaled. You can also watch tv on the panel.

I told my husband that as I was on the (recumbent) bike which is by a wall of windows, I could see the people coming into the place and it was really interesting to see the range of physiques. Lots of very fit people, many overweight and out of shape like me, lots of elders, even a man with a walker and a young woman in a wheelchair that is a double amputee! So there is definitely something for everyone. And it costs nothing! Hope this helps.