The more strength, flexibility and cardiovascular health you can maintain as you age, the better you'll feel. According to the American Council on Exercise, active and fit seniors are more able to maintain their independence while staving off health problems like heart disease, cancer and diabetes. But sometimes it's hard to get yourself motivated. Fortunately, a number of organizations offer senior fitness certifications designed to cater to the specific needs of an aging population.
Types
Fitness professionals can receive senior fitness instructor certifications in group exercise, strength training classes and personal training. Organizations like SilverSneakers and the American Senior Fitness Association cater specifically to seniors, while other organizations like the American Council on Exercise and the American College of Sports Medicine offer higher-level training certifications that cover the additional health and medical concerns that affect aging adults.
Benefits
When you consult an instructor who has received a senior fitness certification, you can feel confident that she can modify exercises to enhance your results. As you age, you might have chronic pain or other health issues that prevent you from participating in exercise in a "typical" fashion. The right instructor can teach you how to choose activities that work for you, and she can help you progress from one stage to the next, enhancing strength and flexibility to help you stay functionally fit.
Cost
Many senior fitness instructors offer group classes through gyms and fitness centers. Classes might come as a benefit with your membership, or you might have to pay a minimal daily fee. You may want to check with your insurance company to see if it offers incentives for participating in regular exercise. Some insurance plans will reimburse part or all of your gym membership if you can prove that you regularly access a fitness center or certified instructor-led class.
If you would rather spend one-on-one time with a trainer, you can expect to spend between $20 and $100 per one-hour session. It might seem expensive, but remember that your instructor spent time and money learning the ins and outs of exercise training and form modification for seniors.
Specialty Classes
If you struggle to get motivated for exercise, finding a form of exercise that you enjoy should be very important. Almost every exercise type has corresponding certifications specifically for a senior population. The Arthritis Foundation offers Tai Chi certifications and water exercise certifications. SilverSneakers offers everything from yoga to aquatics to strength-training classes. You can even find specialty senior classes using the STOTT Pilates Reformer machine, or enroll in a Zumba Gold dance class designed for older adults.
Considerations
When you first meet with certified instructors, make sure you ask to see copies of their certifications, and ask questions about cost, insurance coverage and experience with older clients. If you have any specific health concerns or questions, make sure you're honest with your trainer. He has to know about past and current injuries and illnesses in order to know how to adjust a program to meet your needs.
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