Medicare Covers These 3 Types of Fitness Programs

The physical and mental benefits of participating in regular exercise are common knowledge. Not only does regular exercise keep your body strong and your mind more active, but it also improves your mood and gives you an opportunity to socialize. Exercise has been found to improve the symptoms of many chronic conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction and arthritis, and in some case can nearly reverse the disease or condition.

Seniors especially need to stay fit and active if they want to maintain their independence. When it comes to exercising, though, it is the quality of the activity rather than the quantity that is important. For many seniors, mobility may be compromised by pain in the joints or resulting from injuries, walking a bit every day may not be enough to adequately exercise the body’s muscles.

Exercise programs are often the key to meeting the body’s physical fitness needs, providing an assortment of movements and activities that will strengthen your muscles and bones and improve your overall health. Seniors can greatly benefit from participation in exercise programs that give them access to equipment and guidance from experienced instructors, as well as the opportunity to exercise with other people of varying fitness levels who can encourage and help them along the way. Unfortunately, the cost of some training programs prohibits many seniors from selecting the program they want. However, for seniors who have Medicare, three fitness programs are covered, allowing even low-income seniors to enjoy getting fit and healthy as they embrace their golden years.

SilverSneakers

The most popular fitness program that is covered under Medicare Part C is SilverSneakers. The Silver Sneakers program works with thousands of gyms and fitness facilities around the US, which makes it highly likely you will find a facility near you that hosts the program. What sets this program apart, and no doubt is responsible for its popularity, are its benefits, including some special classes and social activities designed especially for seniors. SilverSneakers fitness programs give participating seniors the opportunity to track their progress with the assistance of a program advisor.

Seniors also have the chance to take part in a FLEX program. SilverSneakers FLEX program offers a variety classes including line dancing, fitness walking, and a range of outdoor activities guaranteed to get you up and get you moving.

SilverSneakers also features a Steps program, which is perfect for the stay-at-home individual or if your current lifestyle just doesn’t allow for a more detailed fitness program. Silver-Sneakers Steps fitness program allows you to do your workout from the comfort of your home. This offshoot program includes a complete kit featuring DVDs, a pedometer, and resistance bands.

Silver&Fit Exercise and Healthy Aging Program

If you are a senior who wants a fitness program that fits in well with your active lifestyle, Silver&Fit may be the program for you. Covered in part by Medicare Part C, Silver&Fit Exercise and Healthy Aging Program is a flexible and comprehensive program that works with local fitness centers to provide you access to the equipment, classes and other amenities you need to keep yourself in shape.

Silver&Fit offers access to a lot of fitness equipment, including cardiovascular and strength training equipment. As a participant, you also have access to all of the gym or fitness center amenities available, including whirlpools, saunas, and swimming pools. Silver&Fit gives you the choice of a variety of exercise classes, all preapproved by Medicare for coverage. Online health resources are also available to help you begin your journey to good senior health.

Silver&Fit also has home exercise kits available, so if you cannot make it to one of the gyms that host the program, you can still dance or do Yoga at home.

SeniorPHIT

Offered in partnership with Aetna’s Fitness Program, SeniorPHIT is considered the least favorite of the three great options, but many people still choose the program. The PHIT acronym stands for Personal Health Improvement Training, and the fitness program lives up to its name. SeniorPHIT customizes their wellness plans and meal plans to your individual needs, allowing you to learn how to exercise correctly, eat correctly in conjunction with your fitness program, and handle life’s overall challenges.

SeniorPHIT also provides a wealth of information to guide you through the process of losing weight and keeping it off. Their online database offers you access to thousands of articles, posts, and healthy recipes, and a 24/7 online coach is available by chat.

SeniorPHIT is a popular choice if you are ready to start a daily exercise program and want a little guidance along the way when it comes to eating healthy and maintaining a daily routine. An online coach is a valuable tool, answer any questions you may have and helping you to stay accountable for your daily performance and reach your goals.

Conclusion

Exercising keeps our muscles toned, our bones strong, and improves the function of nearly every system within us. No matter your age, having a daily exercise routine, even if it is simple walking, can help you stay in shape and maintain a healthy weight. As we age, keeping our body’s flexible and strong becomes more and more difficult. Chronic conditions such as arthritis and diabetes can prevent us from doing the amount and type of exercise we need to do to stay healthy. Often, we need a little help to get into a daily exercise routine and keep it up.

Senior fitness programs, such as those discussed above, help seniors to overcome the obstacles keeping them from staying healthy and active. They make equipment available for you to use, offer a variety of classes and activities to stimulate your body and mind, and they offer the guidance of experienced personal trainers and instructors to help you find the exercise plan that is best for you. With the available coverage from Medicare Part C, these programs are available to even low-income seniors, making good health and healthy living a priority for all.

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