Data map: Chengdu Master is exercising in the gym.
Photo by Yang Yudian
Chinanews client, Beijing, December 27th (Reporter Xing Rui) Speaking of elderly fitness, many people will immediately think of an aunt who dances in a square and an uncle who hits a tree with his head.
But with the increasing diversification of fitness methods, many "silver-haired people" have also begun to follow the fashion and walk into the gym.
In Xishanqiao Street, Yuhuatai District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, a fitness center designed for the elderly appeared.
Here, old people can enjoy a variety of fitness equipment and get professional guidance from coaches.
A few days ago, the reporter called this smart community fitness center, and the staff introduced that this gym relies on the Jiaye community and is one of the first seven smart community fitness centers in the country.
Elderly people over 60 years old only charge 49 yuan a month; for people under 60 years old, the charge is different according to the time of exercise.
When it comes to fitness for the elderly, many people think of head hitting trees and square dancing.
It is understood that half of the area in this gym is dedicated to the elderly.
Here, sports equipment is more "suitable for the old" than ordinary gyms.
"We have a lot of fitness equipment specially designed for the elderly, active and passive. All aspects of strength can be adjusted according to physical conditions," the staff said.
The gym has set up a treadmill with extended armrests, an electronically controlled constant speed rowing trainer, a rhythm sofa and other fitness equipment for the elderly. There are also safety facilities around the fitness equipment to prevent the elderly from being injured.
Some equipment does not even require the elderly to move, can achieve the effect of exercise.
These smarter fitness equipment greatly reduces the risk of elderly exercise.
When the elderly go to the gym for the first time, they will first undergo a physical fitness test, and then there will be someone who will teach them how to use the equipment.
Self-exercise can be carried out only when the safety is ensured.
Data map: On September 20, 2011, in Fushan Park, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, an elderly person who was exercising attracted everyone's applause.
China News Agency issued Wang Zhicheng photo source: CNSPHOTO
Since the gym opened, it has been welcomed by nearby residents, and more and more elderly people come to exercise, including those over 80 years old.
In fact, under the background of "National Fitness", the health consciousness of the elderly is constantly increasing.
Last year, a commercial organization released an analysis report on "Middle-aged and Elderly Fitness Behaviors" that among the middle-aged and elderly people over 49, 88.4% of grandpas and aunts have fitness habits, and 66.4% of middle-aged and elderly people exercise almost every day.
It is not difficult to see that exercise has become a popular trend among middle-aged and elderly people.
With the continuous improvement of people's living standards, fitness for the elderly also presents new characteristics.
According to Wen Wen, vice chairman of the Chinese Senior Citizens’ Sports Association, the elderly’s exercise methods are more personalized and diversified. They are no longer satisfied with the usual jogging, doing exercises, and doing exercises in the free outdoor fitness facilities, instead of going there. Participate in some more scientific and systematic, more effective and interesting projects.
Data map: On September 2, local time, a gym in Queens, New York City, USA reopened.
Photo by China News Agency reporter Liao Pan
When the "silver-haired people" also start to follow the fashion, will the exclusive gym for the elderly be a good business in the future?
In the United States and Japan, fitness programs for middle-aged and elderly people have achieved great success.
Japan Curves focuses on providing fitness services for senior women; after years of development, as of November 2019, it has more than 2,000 gyms in Japan.
"Silver Sneakers" in the United States is a fitness program for people over 65 years old. Members can enjoy fitness classes offered by thousands of stores across the United States.
In traditional Chinese concepts, people generally believe that elderly people should exercise calmly and soothingly.
However, studies have shown that if the elderly can persist in long-term, stable, and systematic upper and lower limb strength training, they can reduce blood cholesterol levels, reduce the incidence of "rich diseases" such as coronary heart disease, and improve the balance ability of the lower limbs of the elderly. Sensitive abilities have been continuously enhanced to reduce injuries caused by falls or bumps.
Data map: On October 19, 2013, the senior fitness team from Lindian Street, Luyang District, Hefei City, Anhui Province performed "Red Plum Praise".
Photo by Han Suyuan issued by China News Agency
Compared with the high risk of outdoor sports, indoor sports are undoubtedly safer and more controllable.
In addition, the gym can also be a place for the elderly to socialize, which can greatly reduce the loneliness of the elderly and help them to spend their old age in a healthier physical and psychological state.
However, the domestic fitness industry started late and its current development is not mature enough.
On the one hand, in order to cater to young people, most commercial gyms do not have courses and training plans for the elderly; on the other hand, if the elderly are allowed to "iron up" like young people, gyms are also facing high risks.
Various factors have made some elderly people discouraged from the gym.
However, with the continuous escalation of elderly fitness consumption needs, more and more elderly fitness methods are bound to appear in the future, breaking through people's stereotypes of monotonous and slow fitness programs for the elderly.
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