It’s a familiar story to many of us: We feel a rush of motivation to get fit, sign up at a nearby gym and go faithfully four or five days a week, only to give up altogether a few weeks later.
But what if part of the problem lies in our motivation for hitting the gym in the first place? We might go in looking at weight loss or building strength as the primary goal of exercise. But joining a fitness club and, most importantly, using that membership, can reap a host of benefits that might not have originally been top of mind for you.
Consider these added perks of joining a gym:
1. You’ve got a (workout) friend in me
The social aspect of joining a gym can (and should) be a great motivator. According to recent research, social isolation carries health risks for older adults, such as cardiovascular disease and inflammation.
But even if you don’t consider yourself socially isolated, you may benefit from a broader social circle. It can be hard to maintain friendships as we get older, and our networks narrow from life changes like retirement and empty nesting. Finding like-minded gym-goers can create social connections you might not have found elsewhere.
2. Brain muscles get love, too
Aerobic exercise has the potential to improve the performance of an aging brain. Researchers have linked moderate exercise to boosting memory and thinking. By making exercise a priority, you could improve your brain health, putting you on the path to many more years of fond memories with family and friends.
3. Run (or walk) away from future health complications
We know we can’t fend off the realities of aging forever but maintaining a consistent exercise routine can help prevent many common issues. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, regular physical activity can reduce your risk of chronic conditions including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain kinds of cancer. Added bonus: It can also slow the loss of bone density that comes with aging.
4. Help prevent future injuries
Stretching helps keep muscles flexible and improves strength. A gym can be a good place to get into a regular routine for being more limber, reducing muscle strain and even helping to prevent falls.
5. Hit the gym, help pad your pocketbook
In addition to the health benefits, regular exercise might also come with some financial benefits by helping to avoid the significant costs often associated with intensive health issues, especially when those issues require hospitalizations or specialty prescription medications.
If you need even more of a financial incentive, consider that you might be able to join a gym without owing a monthly membership fee, depending on the type of Medicare coverage you have.
For example, UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans with Renew Active® now have access to all of Life Time’s nearly 160 athletic clubs in 29 states, helping even more people stay active and improve physical and mental well-being. This also includes access to ARORA, Life Time’s innovative new program for older adults that includes classes, sports, social time and more.
Renew Active includes a free gym or health club membership, access to thousands of on-demand and livestream workouts and an online brain health program. More than 10 million Renew Active members are now eligible to participate in a wide range of Life Time’s membership options and programs.
Visit UHCMedicareHealthPlans.com to learn more about UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans in your area.
