Fit for All Ages
Reaching New Demographics Through Targeted Fitness Programming
By Chris Gelbach
Creating an Inclusive All-Ages Fitness Facility
To serve patrons of all ages requires special considerations in both equipment choice and facility layout. Here are five tips from the experts for creating a facility that's suitable for patrons of all ages:
1. Include sizeable open areas. Younger kids are still getting used to their bodies and need room to jump and move without tripping over equipment. And functional training and mat areas can't be cramped, or they won't get used.
2. Leave plenty of room between equipment. Patrons who are overweight, use canes or are in wheelchairs should be able to move without difficulty between exercise stations.
3. Select low-to-the-ground pieces. Heavier and older patrons may not be comfortable climbing or lifting themselves up off the ground to use exercise equipment. Instead, choose pieces with seats that go nearly down to the floor.
4. Offer inclusive options. Upper-body ergometers can allow patrons who can't walk well to still get a good cardio workout. Equipment such as assistance boots can help people who are weaker on one side use an exercise bike. And low-impact cardio equipment such as ellipticals can make it easier for people with joint problems to get moving.
5. Choose cables and functional equipment. Cable machines allow people of all heights and weights to do hundreds of exercises from a seated or standing position. And functional pieces like suspension systems, Bosu balls and power ropes can be used for hundreds of exercises and can be easily stored away.
The Senior Boom
Perhaps no group is becoming a bigger focus for health and fitness professionals than the baby boom generation—for a couple of good reasons. First, this group tends to have more discretionary income than younger demographics. Second, according to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, it's also the least active group of Americans, so it represents a huge untapped market.
"As the boomers and older adults need exercise more, they're the ones filling up gyms these days," Robinson said. "At the same time, they didn't grow up working out. A lot of them have spent most of their lives not working out and now are trying to in their 50s, 60s or beyond."
Because of this fact, Robinson noted that these exercisers are at increased risk of injury if they jump head-first into group fitness classes where they might not get enough individual attention. Instead, he prefers reaching the demographic through one-on-one personal training sessions. "I'd rather offer personal training services to them at a discount—at least for three to five sessions to give them a foundation—before putting them into a group setting."
In terms of group programming, the Chicago Park District has found success reaching this demographic with programs that include line dancing, chair yoga and swimming. Maldonado noted that the social component of these programs is critical in attracting and retaining older park district patrons. "I've been at parks where the senior participants have been coming for eight or 10 years and it's their social outlet. They go for their walking club one day, their yoga the next, their line dancing the next day. Some of them are also involved in our advisory councils and have a strong stake in the parks they go to regularly."