SilverSneakers is a popular fitness benefit for adults over 65. But is it enough to help you get stronger and see results? Here’s what you should know.
One question I hear from time to time is, “Do you offer SilverSneakers?” While I can’t speak for other areas, several gyms here in the South Hills offer this program. If you’re not familiar with it, SilverSneakers gives adults with qualifying Medicare insurance plans access to participating gyms and exercise classes at no additional cost.
While having access to a gym at no additional cost sounds great, there are three critical areas that SilverSneakers typically doesn’t include. Depending on your experience with exercise, these three areas could make a big difference in whether you actually make progress. That’s why I think it’s important to understand them before getting started.
Now, I also want to be clear that SilverSneakers can be a great fit for some people. I’m certainly not writing this to criticize the program. My goal is simply to explain who SilverSneakers may work well for, who might need more help, and what you should know so you can decide for yourself.
#1 SilverSneakers Is Missing a Detailed Fitness Assessment
One of the most important first steps when starting exercise in your 60s and 70s is having a detailed fitness assessment. I'm not talking about the typical health history review and gym tour that many gyms offer. At this stage of life, especially if you haven't exercised in years, I believe it's important to have a much more detailed assessment.
A proper assessment should start with a thorough review of your health history, goals, and previous exercise experience. From there, it should include a closer look at your current flexibility, balance, and strength. These are all important areas to evaluate before deciding which exercises to start with.
Having this information gives a personal trainer a much better understanding of which exercises may be safe and effective for you. Without a detailed assessment, it can be difficult to know exactly where to begin, especially if you're dealing with weakness, stiffness, or balance problems.
If you're considering SilverSneakers, ask whether the participating gym offers a more detailed fitness assessment, not just a general health history review and gym tour. A good option is the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), which looks at how well you perform several exercises. Other assessments can also be helpful.
While I believe a fitness assessment should be included when starting a training program, some gyms may charge an additional fee. Regardless, ask what their assessment includes and how detailed it will be. I would strongly recommend having an appropriate assessment done before beginning a more structured exercise program.
#2 SilverSneakers Is Missing Personal Accountability
As with most general gym memberships, you can stop going and never hear from the gym again. I often tell my clients that accountability is the glue that holds everything together. If you're like the rest of us, your motivation will vary from month to month, and there will be times when exercising just isn't a priority.
One reason people struggle to get results from a general gym membership is the lack of personal support and accountability. It's easy to stop going when nobody notices you're missing. It's also easy to go through the motions without challenging yourself enough to continue getting stronger.
Accountability isn't one size fits all. It should vary from person to person based on their needs, personality, and goals. For example, some of our personal training clients appreciate a quick text message that says, "We didn't see you yet this week. Is everything okay?" It's short and to the point, but it lets them know we're looking out for them and that we care. It also reminds them to get back into the studio so they can continue making progress.
Other clients appreciate being challenged while they're exercising. For example, we might ask, "Is this weight still challenging you, or do you think you're ready to try the next weight up?" Sometimes that little bit of encouragement is all someone needs to challenge themselves and try something new.
While there isn't just one way to provide accountability, I believe having some form of weekly accountability is critical, especially for someone who is just getting started. If you're considering SilverSneakers, understand that regular, personal accountability from a dedicated trainer isn't normally included. If you know you struggle to stay consistent on your own, you'll want to find another way to hold yourself accountable.
#3 SilverSneakers Is Missing Personalized Training
While SilverSneakers offers general fitness classes and online workouts, these aren't the same as having a detailed, personalized training program designed specifically for you. Group classes and online workouts may work for people in their 20s and 30s, but after 60, I believe a much more detailed and personalized approach to exercise is needed, especially if you haven't exercised in years.
Your workout should be designed around your individual needs, goals, preferences, health history, and current abilities. What works well for one woman in her 60s may not be appropriate for another woman of the same age. That's why it's important to understand where you're starting and choose exercises that are appropriate for you.
If you choose to participate in general fitness classes or online workouts, you'll want to use some caution, especially if you're new to exercise. Pay attention to how your joints are feeling, and let the instructor know if you're experiencing discomfort or having difficulty with an exercise. Don't feel that you need to keep up with everyone else.
Choosing the right exercises and learning how to perform them with proper form are both important, especially after 60. These steps can help reduce the risk of exercise-related injuries while making sure you're getting the most out of your time exercising.
Who SilverSneakers Is Perfect For
There are certainly people who are a perfect fit for SilverSneakers. My dad, for example, just wants access to a few exercise machines. He doesn't want personalized attention, support, accountability, or a fitness assessment. While I can't say this is the most effective approach to fitness, it's what some people prefer, and that's perfectly fine. SilverSneakers is a great option for someone who simply wants access to exercise machines and prefers to be left alone.
SilverSneakers can also be a great option for someone who already works with a personal trainer but wants to add a few cardio workouts on their off days. Having access to a gym at no additional cost can be a real benefit.
That said, if you're looking for personalized attention, ongoing support, accountability, and a detailed fitness assessment, I would recommend searching your area for a personal trainer who specializes in helping adults over 60.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to your goals and what you're looking for. If you live in the South Hills of Pittsburgh and are leaning toward personal training, be sure to apply for a free week of personal training at A50. This gives you an opportunity to see, feel, and experience what the right support, accountability, and personalized attention should look like.
If you'd like to learn more about exercising after 60, you can also read my article, Do You Need to Lift Heavy Weights to Get Stronger After 60?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Zawodniak is the Co-founder of A50 Personal Training, the first personal training studio in the South Hills built exclusively to serve women over 50. With nearly two decades of experience in the fitness industry, Jason noticed early in his career that women over 50 were consistently underserved — showing up to gyms where they felt out of place, unsure of what to do, and afraid of getting hurt. After hearing those same stories from his own clients year after year, he made a decision: in 2017, he opened A50 to create the program he knew this demographic deserved. Today, Jason specializes in helping women over 50 build the strength and flexibility they need to stay active, prevent injury, and keep up with the people and activities they love most.