topic Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program? in Wellness

Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

AngelPuppy1 — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 10:05:46 GMT

I am thinking about trying this out. I have it free as part of my insurance and there is a facility very close to where I live and this particular one is labled as 30 and out or something like that and is for women only.

Does anyone here use the silver sneaker program, and if so, what are your thoughts? Do you find it beneficial? If so, what features or classes do you like?

I haven't gone to a fitness facility in probably 40 years and so I don't know if I would be able to do any of the activities. I am not much for going to fitness places either. I always preferred doing my exercising at home.

I think I might just go for a tour and see what they have.

Thanks for your answers!

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

jlkz — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 10:42:37 GMT

@AngelPuppy1

For a few years Silver Sneakers was a free benefit to our insurance plan. I used their videos on demands for the different programs I was interested in. Some seated stretches, some balancing and even a dance series.

No facility was close by but I really liked the session

leaders. The sessions were about 30 minutes long and I really used them.

Two years ago insurance plan switched and I signed into a chain, Planet Fitness. Went once: too huge, staff not really willing to demonstrate or help with initial equipment usage, too noisy, too " intense " cliques. I left and never went back.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

drizzellla — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 11:16:16 GMT

I only know about it, second hand.

My neighbor used it for many years. He went to a local gym about a mile from our houses. He really liked it. The gym had everything, especially a large swimming pool. He used that frequently. And he kept in very good shape well into his 80s. He was still mowing his own grass and keeping up with whatever work needed to be done.

The gym was not part of a chain. It had a local owner and he took great pride and expense in opening and maintaining the gym. My husband was going to join several times but with working and his daily running in the local parks and going to his mountain cabin, he felt he would not use it (he wasn't silver sneakers age). But one of his friends joined. His friend has gone for many years. Even after he was hit by a car while he was riding his bicycle (with a group of 9 other people on a wide country road).

i think it is an excellent program. Try it out, you have nothing to lose. Take the tour.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 11:23:44 GMT

I don't know if there is a SS program here, but I've learned from past experiences that being required to get myself ready and driving somewhere just to exercise is not my cup of tea. DH and I go out the front door and walk through our neighborhood. There are also videos available to do at home.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

amyb — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:59:30 GMT

I had it in my last healthcare plan, but I think my local Y stopped participating, so I never checked it out anywhere else.

Pre-Covid I used to take classes at my Community Center once or twice a week, (not on Medicare then or SS), just because it's nice to take some live classes, and then I'd walk, indoor bike, and work out at home the most...YouTube classes & my Pilates reformer. I still do all that. I never went back to the Community Center after Covid. They participated in SS.

I started strength training classes by a CT trainer who started her programs online during Covid and I'm still taking classes with her, as I wanted to focus on bone health/building muscle/strength.

I just had to change my ins. plan to include my PCP, as United Healthcare is still in negotiations with re-signing with the hospital she's affiliated with, so didn't want to take the chance of her becoming "out of network." That said, I forget if my new plan has SS, but I recall my agent asking if that was important to me...I think that was because I might lose it with the new plan.

I may check it out at my Community Center, if it's included in my plan. I also may be changing back my plan in Oct, if UH does re-sign with my PCP's hospital affiliation.

I have everything at home I need to work out, bike, walking pad, reformer, online classes, but sometimes enjoy going to a live class. Have not been into going to a gym for the machines, since the 90s. The machines were affective back then, but I don't love those atmospheres anymore, didn't love it then...noisy, crowded, etc, but I like my Community Center just for the classes.

Anyway @AngelPuppy1 I'd check it out if I were you, as someone said, nothing to lose!

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

Franklinbell — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:18:54 GMT

I say, check it out! Let us know what you think!

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

Meowingkitty — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:19:08 GMT

I use it regularly. My insurance calls it Renew Active. It allows me to join up to 5 gyms at a time. I currently use 2. I go for Water Zumba, Water Aerobics and. Silver Sneakers Class at one gym and use the machines and walking track at the other. I can use any of the gyms equipment anytime and as much as I want.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

beppa5485 — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:33:41 GMT

I use the SS online live classes for strength training, yoga, cardio. Like them!

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

We rescue cats — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 12:41:37 GMT

Our Silver Sneakers includes use of the re-habilitation equipment at the local physical therapy clinics, it was a great program but boring at the shop closest to me. I liked the equipment but there's no music or television to help occupy this old brain so I tired of going. I needed to use my phone to tune into Sirius but never did so.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

Mz iMac — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 16:04:30 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 My insurance calls it Renew Active. I only use the gym's FREE membership for its snack shop, olympic size heated pool & my very own weight lifting "personal" trainer.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

10sluvr — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:00:56 GMT

Our supplemental insurance uses "One Pass" instead of SS. this just changed, in Jan. My program oks a gym, close to us, Snap 24/7. My hubs program oks Ymca and several other clubs. I will do the videos but probably not the club. Our local ymca, also houses the community center, that has a senior exercise program and group activities. All that is free.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

colleena — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:28:38 GMT

@AngelPuppy1 Our YMCA uses SS for classes botn innouse & virtual classes. My insurance calls it Fit on & covers all.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

catmama — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 17:48:52 GMT

Check first to make sure the gym accepts Silver Sneakers. Mine doesn't.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

Shelbelle — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:06:16 GMT

We have it thru Aetna Medicare too but my DH and I much prefer excercising at home, much more convenient and sanitary using our own equipment.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

meem120 — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:35:39 GMT

I use it. Its paid for my insurance. You can use any and all machines, but classes you have to pay for. I believe youre entilted to a consultations and a trainer to show you your program and how to use the machines. Its very nice.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

Tshirtgal — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:36:34 GMT

Silver sneakers is THE BEST bargain. Husband and I both benefit from it.

Our YMCA has many Silver Sneaker classes that are free to me. Pilates. Yoga. Stretch and fit. Low impact aerobics and more. It's great. If it is available to you, and you enjoy group excercise, go for it. Ask your facility for a list of free classes and find something you enjoy.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

lovinglife — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 02:11:17 GMT

Youtube has so many fitness options.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 10:35:31 GMT

@jlkz

So, Silver Sneakers has video workouts for free you can do? I might look into that, if so.

That Planet Fitness thing -- we have one near us and it is always packed. I am not into that sort of thing.

Thanks!

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 10:36:53 GMT

@drizzellla

This one, I think, is much smaller and I don't think it has a pool. And it is for women only, which I would like. Yes, I am going to go see about it. Nothing to lose, as you said. Thanks.

Re: Silver Sneakers - anyone use this program?

AngelPuppy1 — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 10:38:14 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch

Yes, this is true. I walk at home a good bit. I just thought that maybe doing another kind of exercise would be good. I also thought maybe this would motivate me. I'm not one who enjoys being with a bunch of people, I admit. Thanks.