Calls grow for gyms designed for elderly residents

Physical training professionals and seniors are calling for more gyms to be constructed with older people in mind as the need grows for improved fitness among the group.

Wen Wen, deputy chairman of the Chinese Veterans Sports Association, said older people want more opportunities as they are no longer content with just taking short walks, doing simple calisthenics or exercising on free fitness facilities installed in their communities.

Many older people are looking for more interesting, scientific and systematic fitness programs, and the forms of exercise should be much more diverse and personalized, she added.

Hao Jiaqi, a trainer at a fitness club in Beijing, said many people believe seniors should only undertake mild and "peaceful" sports.

Despite that, scientific research shows that regular, long-term, systematic training can not only lower the risk of seniors falling ill, but can also improve their balance and reactions, he said.

"Compared with outdoor sports, which often pose more risks to older people's safety, exercise undertaken in indoor venues, such as fitness clubs, and under the guidance of professional coaches is safer," Hao said.

"The small, enclosed spaces also provide more opportunities for interaction and communication."

However, the training schedules and operating models of most fitness clubs in China rarely meet seniors' needs.

Guo Yuxia, a 62-year-old from Guangzhou, Guangdong province, said she had considered going to a gym, but was deterred when she discovered that most were oriented toward younger people in terms of decor, accessories or training sessions.

"I've been to several gyms. The music was loud, and I couldn't find any equipment that suited me," she said.

"Also, the staff members kept urging me to buy expensive training sessions without considering whether they were suitable for me or not."

She hopes to see some more seniors-only fitness clubs set up, she said.

Some companies and organizations are already working in that direction.

A gym for older people was opened in Jiaye community, Nanjing, Jiangsu province, in 2019.

It provides professional coaches to show seniors how to use the equipment and offers safety features to prevent them from injuring themselves.

The cost－49 yuan ($7.50) a month－is reasonable for people age 60 and older.

In Shanghai, Shangti Health Technology, which focuses on improving seniors' health, has opened at least 15 fitness clubs.

All the equipment, from running machines to muscle training apparatus, is tailored to older people's needs, making it safer to use, according to Yu Chenjie, the company's marketing director.

"For example, based on older people's physiques, we have designed fitness equipment that can help strengthen their cardiopulmonary function and improve microcirculation in certain parts of the body," she said.

"Also, some seniors have suggested that we provide courses for yoga, gymnastics or tai chi. We will consider these suggestions carefully and gradually add courses that are suitable for the needs of older people."