It’s a Booming time for exercise
AGE is just a number to the Baby Boomer generation, with Australians in the age bracket averaging more hours of physical activity a week than any other group.
A Fitness Australia study found that nationally Baby Boomers exercised 364 hours a year on average — which was 83 hours more than those under 40 — or the equivalent of seven hours a week.
Victorian men, who average 8.6 hours of exercise a week, were the most active Boomers in the country, while the state’s women were the least, averaging just 3.5 hours.
Cos Zerella, 63, started hitting the gym four years ago to improve his fitness so he could climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
“Often (at work) I’m sitting at a desk but sometimes I’ll be on a job site and I need to hop onto a truck or something like that and I don’t struggle anymore,” Mr Zerella said.
“I’ve got the strength to do it.”
The study found 86 per cent of Baby Boomers were exercising to improve their health and 61 per cent were doing it to feel physically strong.
Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said younger generations could learn from those above, with under-40s more than twice as likely to avoid activity because they’re embarrassed or feel they don’t fit in.
“Sometimes getting started is the hardest part,” Mr Elvish said. “
“Whether it’s pulling on your runners and stepping out your front door to go for a walk or joining a group fitness class with a friend.”
Australians 39 years old and younger were physically active for 5.4 hours a week on average.