Fitness After 50

Collins' Tips to Getting Active

1. Fitness centers: "You probably won't step into a gym

and hear them pumping The Grateful Dead or Motown

favorites through the sound system, these days," says

Collins, "but gyms are doing a lot to cater to the over-50

crowd." Many gyms are refocusing attention from the

hard-body athletes to the "everyday people" who desire

a natural, healthy body. Through this, gyms are attracting

a greater percentage of Boomer clientele. Several fitness

center ad campaigns are targeted toward Boomers, and

fitness instructors are being schooled in the ways older

adults should be reintroduced to a fitness routine. "With

these changes in place, hitting the gym can be a great way

to get back into shape'" says Collins.

2. Determine your physical age: Fitness instructors

should help you tailor a program right for your level of

ability. Your "physical age" may not be the same as your

chronological one, and workouts should be based on your

physical ability. "If you've been out of the fitness loop for a

while, you'll want to build up gradually to the fitness level

World's Fastest Over-50 Runner

you desire'" offers Collins. "I suggest slower warm-ups and

Teaches Boomers

routines that focus on long-term consistency and building

stamina."

How to Get Ac tive

3. Per formance Wear: Even though aches and pains

aren't necessarily the result of aging, suffice it to say that a

W

50-year-old's body has a few more miles on it than

hile the X and Y generations are at home uploading their

someone in his or her 30s. Therefore, it's important to

iPods and arguing the merits/disadvantages to Nintendo's

support joints and muscles to reduce the chance of injury

Wii or Sony's latest Playstation incarnation, a different

while working out, regardless of activity. "I'm never

generation of people are steering clear of the couch potato mentality

without CW-X® Conditioning Wear® when I'm on the

and becoming more physically active.

track," says Collins. This apparel cradles muscles and joints,

Folks over 50 are the fastest-growing segment of the fitness population,

protecting them from jarring impact and injury. This

say recent reports. There are several reasons behind this trend. Most

apparel even features UPF 50+ sun protection,

Baby Boomers don't want to feel "old'" as they grow older. So, they're

putting an emphasis on cultivating a greater quality of life in a number

nanotechnology fabrics that maintain core body

of ways. In addition to establishing financial security and acquiring

temperature in colder conditions or wick away moisture

the creature comforts they couldn't afford in their youth, the 50+ set

to keep the skin dry and comfortable, and antimicrobial

is also focusing in on physical health - making it a top priority.

fiber technology to reduce odors. All of this technology

"A lot of the problems once believed to be associated with aging, like

allows fitness enthusiasts of all ages to maximize their

aches, pains, fatigue, and lack of strength, really aren't side effects of

performance.

getting older, they're from disuse of the body'" says Bill Collins, 57,

4. Clue-in your doctor: Don't forget to run your fitness

a master sprinter and world's fastest human for his age. "I am a prime

regimen by your doctor before beginning. He or she can

example of how you can be in the best shape of your life while getting

older. On the track, I've beat my best times from when I was 30 years

point out activities that may be helpful (or harmful) for

younger."

your condition. "I know it sounds cliché, but definitely

Collins has won 91 American Masters crowns at the USA

check with your doctor before jumping into physical

Masters Track and Field Championships as well as 18 World Track

activity. You don't want to risk injury that will sideline you

Championship titles as a master sprinter. His 33 world records in the

for weeks or months," warns Collins. If exercising ever

100 meters, 200 meters and 400 meters make him the fastest runner

causes you to have excessive shortness of breath,

alive for his age. "By remaining physically active, and doing the right

light-headedness or difficulty with balance, stop and

activities for the body - in ways that are age appropriate - other silver-

consult your doctor.

haired people can enjoy a better quality of life, too," says Collins.

22 · Mountain Times Special Advertising Section