Does this sound familiar?
You’d like to join a gym, but you don’t think you’re fit enough yet.
You’re worried that everyone else there is already in great shape and a lot younger than you. You don’t want to feel uncomfortable or intimidated.
Well, the good news is: You’re not alone. Lots of people feel that way, no matter what age. Gym owners and trainers hear this all the time.
And the better news is: There’s nothing to worry about. We are here to help. And you are more likely to find friendly encouragement at a gym than any judgment.
Consider Bill Hendricks. You’d never guess it by just looking at him, but Bill was nervous the first time he joined a gym just six years ago.
“I had every negative feeling you could imagine,” recalls the former Marine who, at 68, is lean and muscular. “All the machines looked like a forest of many great beasts who wanted to chew me up. I thought, ‘I’m gonna look like an idiot. Everybody’s gonna laugh at me.’ ”
But Bill stuck with it and soon found a welcoming community and a healthy routine that he wouldn’t abandon now for anything. He encourages everyone who’s nervous about joining a gym to pursue their own personal fitness goals, whatever those goals might be.
We are here to enforce Bill’s message. Come on in, talk it through, and let us make you feel at home.
Why You Need Exercise
You already know some of the great reasons why people over 50, 60, 70 or older should work out. Here are just a few of them as reminders.
- Physical exercise is good for your heart, sense of balance and bone density.
- It fights off dementia and Alzheimer’s.
- It gets you out of the house and socializing with a supportive community.
- Being strong, toned and limber is helpful for golf, tennis, gardening and other physical hobbies.
- It helps you lose weight, look better – and perform everyday tasks with less risk of injury.
We offer supportive staff and trainers who will give you a safe, helpful introduction to weight training and other forms of exercises. We will listen to your special health and diet needs, help you determine some appropriate goals, and do everything to give you the environment you need to succeed. Plus, we can take you through every step of a new healthy lifestyle, if you like – or just stand by for when you need us.
If you’re considering a new fitness experience, look for a place that’s right for you, and the time of day that works. Ask about discounts, group classes, equipment and trainers that are specifically geared toward your age group. Many Baby Boomers and other retirees enjoy working out during the day, when gyms tend to be less crowded. Others might thrive on a bustling scene.
A Safe Place to Start
But everyone will quickly learn that no one’s going to make fun or judge. Most gyms are full of all kinds of bodies – young and old, fit and fat, and everything in between, with all kinds of fitness goals.
We all started somewhere. The important thing is that you’re doing something good for yourself and your loved ones.
And, please: You have lived too much of life to let schoolhouse nerves keep you on the sidelines.
Take it from Bill.
“I just didn’t give up. I swallowed my pride,” he says.
“As time goes by, you can’t help but become more comfortable and familiar with your surroundings. If somebody looks at you, give them a smile and wave. People realize you’re just somebody who’s doing their thing. That’s when it gets really good.”
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