Wishaw Press

Time to stay active as you progress in years

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Age is just a number, and it has never been truer than in today’s modern thinking society.

If you are 50 today, it means that you were born around 1967.

This means that you were there through some of the major advances in technology that has shaped the world we live in today.

The incredible advances in media, television, film, music and of course computing, puts the current 50 plus members of society in prime position for having understand­ing and ease of access to a new world of communicat­ion and opportunit­y.

The advances in technology that 50 plus-ers enjoy now, have meant that restrictio­ns in certain aspects of life have been lifted, and age barriers are being slowly broken down.

One of the main areas of incredible growth for people over the half century mark, is the fitness industry.

With fitness now a billion dollar world wide institutio­n, it is no surprise that gyms, spas and fitness classes tailor their facilities to house the growing market in clients over 50.

The great thing about the fitness industry these days, is the social aspect that it attracts.

Gyms and studios know that people want to be social, so your health club these days also doubles as a meeting place, where members can get together for a chat over a coffee before hitting the gym.

This kind of interactio­n makes great business sense, as people are much more likely to continue with a membership in a center that allows them time to relax in comfort and with friends.

The 50 plus clients are also more likely to stay loyal to a business that they are comfortabl­e with, so it makes sense that gyms now understand the importance of designing schedules of events that suit that demograph.

If you are 50 plus and thinking of joining a facility, here’s some things to look for.

With the UK now incredibly aware of the benefits of staying healthy, health clubs are booming business, and this is good news for you, the consumer.

Gyms want your business, so don’t be scared to shop around. Many places will offer free trials. Look for a gym that includes everything in it’s membership, no hidden costs if you want to use the pool or the spa.

If you enjoy fitness classes, check that they are part of the membership too.

Look through the fitness classes on offer at the gym you choose.

Do they offer a wide range of sessions that you would like to try?

If you are new to fitness, you will need entry level classes, if the schedule is full of HIIT classes such as Metafit, it may not be what you need.

Look also for ease of access to the program.

If you enjoy early morning workouts, see what is on offer and when the centre opens.

If you prefer evening sessions, check the availabili­ty of classes in prime times.

And once you find a gym that suits, it will open a world of opportunit­ies for you.

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