Six Steps to Selecting a "Gym" if you are over 50

Dear Victoria

"When I retired in March of 2001 I spent the first year considering new interests. Unfortunately I encountered some health problems shortly after finishing work and always had some excuse why I couldn’t do regular exercise but always knew I should do something positive about it.

After some severe lower back pain and several asthma attacks, my GP suggested that I join the Green Apple. One morning in January I collected the ‘junk’ mail and discovered a Green pamphlet and a message from Victoria. I immediately phoned (before I got cold feet) and made an appointment to see Jason. I was very impressed by the warm and friendly welcome I received from all the staff.

I wasn’t at all confident and very nervous about my first visit as I felt I was the most unfit person ever to present myself.

To my amazement, I enjoyed my programme and didn’t have too much trouble improving my performance. I have now almost finished my 2nd eight weeks and feel so well and much more energetic. I haven’t had any back pain since I commenced and my breathing is now with the normal range. I can now do a day’s gardening without all that muscle stiffness the next day!

My experience at the Green Apple has been life changing for me and I intend to continue my regular visits for continuing health improvement. I wish I had started 20 years ago!

Bev Tibbits 

If you are over 50 you will want a special gym. Like Bev, you will want somewhere that takes your life experiences into consideration. Even better still you will want to see other people like you exercising around you.

The 6 steps below were devised during the Year of the Older Person 1999 for a Qld government publication. As you take yourself through each of these stages you will get a better idea of what you are looking for. 

Step 1.

Ask your doctor if you are able to undertake a supervised exercise plan. If he/she is willing, ask the doctor to write a note giving you clearance to start. Any limiting medical factors should be included to help your fitness professional.

Step 2.

Sit down and plan what you want to achieve by starting a structured exercise program. 'Why do you want to do it?'

Step 3.

Ask your friends, or anyone you think is already involved in some physical activity, if they are familiar with any fitness centres. Word of mouth referral is often the best starting point. If this is not successful, find out if there is an association representing registered and accredited centres. *
* Note: In Queensland, the relevant body is Fitness Queensland, Sports House, Milton. Phone: 3876 6522

Step 4.

Phone the gym and ask some questions.
'Do you have anyone on staff particularly interested in exercise plans for people over 50 (or over 60, 70, etc.)?'
'Are there any staff members who are over 50?'
'What percentage of your members are over 50?'
'What activities do you have for people over 50?'
'Are all the staff qualified and officially registered?'
If, at this stage, you feel the gym is catering for the needs of seniors, and the staff member on the phone seems genuinely interested in you, make an appointment to visit the gym to talk to someone.

Find out if the appointment is free, and ensure that it will be with a fitness professional who can give you proper guidance, not simply a sales person. The person you consult should be able to explain what your exercise options are and also how much it will cost you.

Step 5.

Visit the venue and assess it for your needs

• Is it non-threatening?
• Are the staff approachable and welcoming?
• Can you see 'normal' people of all ages and sizes around you?
• Is the atmosphere happy?

This is a crucial step. If you are over 50, it will be the interaction with staff and fellow exercisers that will keep you going to the gym. No amount of fancy equipment or furnishing is going to make up for lack of personal care and attention.

Step 6.

Talk to the fitness professional. You should be asked many questions before any advice or costs are given.

• Why do you want to exercise?
• What you expect to achieve?
• What exercise are you doing at the moment (both lifestyle and planned)?
• Your health problems (medical)?
• Your physical limitations (joint problems, decreased range of movement)?
• Your time availability (how often can you attend weekly)?
• What sort of activity interests you?

The fitness professional's role is to assess all these variables and then to prescribe an appropriate action plan.

Costs for the program should be lower if you are to attend group sessions only e.g. Gentle Aerobic classes, Aquarobics, Green Apple Walks, Easybeat, Step classes, etc.

Personalised programs in the gym, e.g. strength training, will be more expensive because they require several sessions one-on-one. See What happens when I join the Green Apple? 

Written by Victoria Gill
Owner of the Green Apple Gymnasium since 1978, Personal Trianer, Remedial Therapist, Board member Fitness Qld