Get moving! Staying active at 50, 60, 70, 80 and beyond
Katie Harris THE RECREATION AND FITNESS INDUSTRIES have witnessed an interesting phenomenon in recent years, with the baby boomers reaching senior-hood. The largest generation to-date to surpass age 50, the boomers are determined to remain physically fit, and require a larger selection of options for doing so than ever before. “It’s a really different generation than we’ve ever had in the 20 years I’ve been in the field,” says Tiffany Skoglund, supervisor at the Greeley Active Adult Center. “The baby boomers want really
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competitive, physical types of stuff.” With so many newly 50-plus adults arriving on the scene, Skoglund says the gap between the active generation and older seniors is widening, when it comes to recreational interests. Varying needs for varying ages “While we’re trying to cater to our younger, 50 and up members, we’re still programming for our folks who are a little older, a little more frail, and starting to experience declining health,” says Skoglund. “Our 70-plus folks are inter-
ested in keeping their minds active as well as their bodies.” These varying needs have given way to a whole host of new activities geared toward the 50-plus crowd at local recreation and active adult centers. From book clubs to badminton, there are dozens upon dozens of ways to stay active these days, no matter your interest or ability level. “Here at the Greeley Active Adult Center we have so many things our active adults can do to stay active: pool tables, table tennis, racquetball, cornhole,” says Skoglund. “Shuffleboard is
