24 Hour Fitness Celebrates Active Aging Week With Free Workouts for Older Adults

SAN RAMON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--24 Hour Fitness, a member of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), proudly supports Active Aging Week, an annual initiative sponsored by ICAA which works to improve the quality of life for older adults. During the week of September 25 through October 1, 2011, 24 Hour Fitness^® clubs nationwide will host free workouts for anyone age 50 or older. As an advocate for a healthy and active lifestyle at any age, the leading fitness club chain is also pleased to continue delivering ongoing fitness programs and resources for older adults looking to achieve an active and healthy lifestyle.

“24 Hour Fitness provides access and an incredible variety of activities to help older adults lead an active lifestyle”

“Along with ICAA, 24 Hour Fitness has a long-standing mission of helping people change their lives through fitness at any age,” said Randy Drake, senior vice president of fitness and business development, 24 Hour Fitness. “Active Aging Week is a great time for us to demonstrate the importance of staying active and introduce the many opportunities available for maintaining a healthy way of life.”

24 Hour Fitness offers award-winning active aging programs for older adults, including Silver&Fit^® and SilverSneakers^®, in which thousands of active 24 Hour Fitness members are currently enrolled. The programs offer eligible Medicare members and group retirees of participating health plans and insurance companies access to more than 400 - 24 Hour Fitness clubs across the country. Participants can experience fun-filled Group X^® classes like Zumba Gold^®, SilverSneakers Cardio and SilverSneakers Strength, which are designed specifically for the needs of older adults, and offered at select 24 Hour Fitness clubs.

“24 Hour Fitness provides access and an incredible variety of activities to help older adults lead an active lifestyle,” said Colin Milner, chief executive officer, ICAA. “We’re honored to have them as a member of ICAA and sponsor of Active Aging Week. Together we’ll continue to ensure that older adults use fitness to live healthier and more active lives.”

24 Hour Fitness believes that mobility, weight, flexibility and longevity can all be directly impacted and improved by staying active – no matter what the age. The fitness experts of 24 Hour Fitness share a few, simple ways to help older adults achieve a healthier lifestyle:

Visit the doctor for a checkup. It’s always important to check in with your doctor before beginning a new fitness routine.
Go for a walk. Walking is not only a great way to be active, but it’s also a nice way to enjoy the outdoors and relax.
Call family and friends. Getting active with family or friends, like playing tennis or riding bikes, is a great way to catch up on quality time together, while doing something beneficial for your health.
Get back to your hobbies. Life can get busy, leaving no time for the things we enjoy. Many hobbies are good for your health, such as swimming, gardening, ballroom dancing or golf.

24 Hour Fitness understands that fitness can be difficult for many, and needs vary greatly from person to person. To help, the fitness leader offers the 24 Hour Fitness Exercise Guidelines and Steps for Success. The guidelines include recommendations on exercises, activities, duration of workouts and workout intensity that are most appropriate for a person’s age and fitness level.

About 24 Hour Fitness

Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., 24 Hour Fitness is the largest privately owned U.S. fitness club chain and a leading health club industry pioneer, serving nearly four million members in approximately 420 clubs. Founded in 1983 as a one-club operation, the company is dedicated to helping members change their lives and reach their individual fitness goals. With convenient club locations, personal training services, innovative group exercise classes and a variety of strength, cardio and functional training equipment - 24 Hour Fitness offers fitness solutions for everyone.

Through its support of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and many U.S. National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of sport, 24 Hour Fitness is one of the largest supporters of amateur athletics in the country and will serve as the Official Fitness Center Sponsor of the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. The company is committed to being a good neighbor in its communities via charitable and in-kind donations to groups focused on both helping Americans get healthy and improving youth fitness. The company’s national accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, which includes A+ ratings for all club locations across the U.S., demonstrates the organization’s ongoing commitment to member satisfaction. Please call 1-800-224-0240 or visit www.24hourfitness.com for more information and to find the club nearest you.

About the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA)

The International Council on Active Aging^® is the professional association that leads, connects and defines the active-aging industry. ICAA supports professionals who develop wellness facilities, programs and services for adults over 50. The association is focused on active aging—an approach to aging that helps older adults live as fully as possible within all dimensions of wellness (i.e., physical, social, environmental, vocational, intellectual, emotional and spiritual)—and provides its members with education, information, resources and tools.

As an active-aging educator and advocate, ICAA has advised numerous organizations and governmental bodies, including the US Administration on Aging, the National Institute on Aging (one of the US National Institutes of Health), the US Department of Health and Human Services, Canada’s Special Senate Committee on Aging, European Commission, and the British Columbia ministries of Health, and Healthy Living and Sport. For more information, please visit www.icaa.cc.