I’m Back in the Gym after a 3 Month Lay-Off and I Still Don’t Enjoy It
March 7th, 2010I just bought an 18 month subscription to the gym
I am on my second mile on the treadmill when I see this old guy walking across the gym. He passes me and climbs onto the treadmill next to mine. I sneak a glance at the information on the dashboard and watch with interest as he enters his weight and then his age. 80! The man is 80 years old and he comes to the gym! I find that amazing. I think back to my grandfather who was an old man at 65 and my father who was ancient by time he was 70. The man punches in his walking plan – 4 miles. Now I am really impressed.
Who is in the gym?
According to annual surveys by the Boston based International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association that represents many of the nation’s 30,000 health clubs, membership among adults aged 55 and older rose to 10.5 million in 2008, from 1.5 million in 1987, making this group the fastest-growing segment of the health club population.
Does age matter?
This depends on the context. This is what is does in the gym: The music changes to the Beatles and the Beach Boys from the Black Eyed Peas, and the hi-tech designer spandex attire gives way to loose, comfortable pants and blouses. The conversation changes, too.
Exercise classes
In the gym where I go, the manager caters to the retired and semi-retired clients. He has laid out a special ‘retirees’ circuit of exercises on the 30-foot by 20-foot outdoor patio. The elastic resistance tubing, three-pound dumbbells, and stability and medicine balls may be sneered at by the body-building fraternity, but they are just right for these retired or semiretired clients.
What the gym offers the retired
As they begin their 30-minute regimen, the atmosphere at the club shifts. There is a lot of “do you remember…” conversation. These are familiar, comfortable, social groups who have come to exercise. The 8:30 class is for women and at 9:30 there is a stretching class for older men. Fitness clubs have changed their approach to deal with the older population. The older members have less rigid timetables and are likely to be found working out at all hours of the day. Classes are often geared for less-agile bodies or emphasize concepts like balance training, a skill that is particularly important for older adults.
The history of the gym
Many older Americans grew up in a culture of exercise, which started from the aerobics movement inspired by Dr. Kenneth Cooper in the 1960s to the weight-lifting craze after “Pumping Iron” in the 1970s and back to aerobics with Jane Fonda videos in the 1980s.
Doctors orders?
Whether they have been prodded by their physicians or spurred by research showing the many benefits of physical activity for older adults, people in their 50s and 60s are joining gyms and jolting the workout culture.
Tags: Exercising, Fitness, Gyms, Retirees, Seniors, Workout
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Are you up for retirement? Nah, I’m giving up on retirement!
March 5th, 2010Workers Age 60+ Are Putting Off Retirement Due to Financial Restraints
The unsettled economy continues to change the retirement timeline for many senior workers, leaving them with tough decisions about their futures. More than seven-in-ten workers over the age of 60 who said they are putting off their retirement are doing so because they can’t afford to retire financially, according to a new survey by CareerBuilder.
Women too
When comparing genders, the survey found that three-quarters of female workers over the age of 60 who said they are putting off retirement are doing so because they can’t afford it, while 68 percent of males said the same. The survey was conducted among more than 700 U.S. workers age 60+ between November 5 and November 23, 2009.
Other reasons
Financial reasons are not the only grounds for postponing retirement for workers over the age of 60. Other reasons cited among those putting off retirement include: Enjoy the job or enjoy their place of work and don’t want to leave it; plan to stay because they need the health insurance and additional benefits provided; fear retirement may just be boring; enjoy feeling needed. All sound reasons for continuing to work.
The doubtful economy
“The economy continues to cast doubt in the minds of mature workers regarding executing on their future retirement plans. As a result, they are requesting to stay with employers a bit longer,” said Jason Ferrara, senior career adviser at CareerBuilder. “Twenty-seven percent of hiring managers say they were approached about postponing retirements last year and were open to retaining mature workers. The key is to let your employer know sooner than later that you would like to put off your plans to leave.”
Planning to postpone your retirement?
If you are, talk to your HR department. Keep an open and honest dialogue with your company as soon as you decide what to do about your retirement. HR can be a good resource if you are having trouble mapping out your future.
Be open minded
Your employer may have been working around a pre-determined date you set. Therefore, deciding abruptly that you want to stay in the same job may not be in the cards. Talk to your supervisors and if you have already been replaced on one assignment, determine what other projects may be a good fit for you.
Network
While you try to figure out if you can stay with your current employer, it is in your best interest to network socially and professionally to see if anyone knows of any other positions for which you should apply. If your goal is to have a job, your network may be able to help you find a new one.
Mentor
Both inside and outside your company. One of your greatest assets is your experience level and intellectual capital. Leverage this knowledge as a mentor to show your worth to your current employer and those you may work for in the future.
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