-Older exercisers are often seen in the gym. They don't exercise much, but they are regular and enthusiastic.

"I used to help take care of my grandson after retirement. Later, my grandson went to school, and I didn't know what to do when I was free. Going to the gym to exercise has enriched my life. " Zhao Rong, who lives in Haidian District, Beijing, is 67 years old and has been exercising for 4 years. Every morning from 9: 00 to 1 1 is the time for him to go to the gym to exercise.

When it comes to fitness, Zhao Rong said, "The children still recommend going to the gym for fitness. I have always been fat and really need exercise. " Today, Uncle Zhao has a moderate figure and is in good physical and mental condition.

It's not a case like Uncle Zhao. Wang, a fitness instructor at a gym in Fengtai District, Beijing, said that older exercisers are often seen. At present, they account for about 6% of the total gym membership, which is much higher than before. "Most of them don't exercise much, but they are regular and enthusiastic."

Aunt Jin, 63, reports to the Citizen Fitness Center in Yangpu District Street, Shanghai every day. "The insomnia that has plagued me for more than 20 years has gradually improved through fitness, and now sleeping pills have stopped." Aunt Jin tasted the sweetness of fitness.

Bai Qinqin, 74, is a fitness expert. She started to exercise at the age of 60 and has been doing it for 14 years. Because she became a "network celebrity" in the fitness field, she was affectionately called "Aunt Xiaobai" by many netizens.

Bai Qinqin, who was hospitalized for three times in her forties, realized the importance of physical exercise after her physical recovery. First, she does brisk walking, skipping, radio exercises and other sports in the community; Gradually, Bai Qin became more and more interested in fitness and wanted to try more scientific fitness methods. So, she started systematic training, went to the gym six or seven times a week, and conducted one-hour flexibility training and strength training under the guidance of a professional fitness coach. Today, the 70-year-old is not only healthy in all physical indicators, but also full of physical strength, which makes her daily life more exciting.

Bai Qinqin said: "We can't stop aging, but we can slow it down through exercise. Instead of spending money on seeing a doctor and taking medicine, it is better to put money on fitness. "

Insiders pointed out that in today's aging and chronic diseases, good exercise habits are a good way to live a healthy life. At the same time, with the development of economy and society and the change of life concept, more and more elderly people's consumption concept has changed from "doing what they can" to "spending money to buy health".

"After the age of 65, people will spend more money on entertainment and sports. In addition, fitness is also a way for many elderly people to pass the time, which can alleviate loneliness to some extent. Therefore, it is not surprising that more and more elderly people are starting to exercise. " Li, deputy dean of the School of Communication, Shanghai Jiaotong University, said.

There are more and more gyms for the elderly.

-The elderly have more professional fitness exercise and communication needs, and many places are providing targeted services to increase supply.

"In addition to square dancing and walking after meals, in fact, the elderly have more professional fitness and communication needs." Wang said to him.

Liu Xinyun, who lives in Fengtai District, said that there are fitness equipment in the community, but the use of many equipment is not clear, and I don't know which equipment is suitable for me and what kind of exercise intensity is reasonable. "When it's raining, windy or the air is not very good, let alone going out to exercise."

A questionnaire survey on the sports health needs of10.5 million elderly people shows that 75.7 1% of the elderly usually exercise mainly on foot, and 66. 10% of the elderly in the community said that they need professional indoor fitness places, among which 34. 19% said that they need professional indoor fitness places very much.

Experts pointed out that the survey results reflect that the old people's exercise methods are relatively simple, there are insufficient places suitable for indoor fitness for the elderly, and the elderly lack professional guidance.

In response to the problem of insufficient supply, many places have begun to act.

On May 20 17, the first 24-hour national fitness venue in Shanghai was officially unveiled in Yangpu District Sports Center. The venue set up a special sports rehabilitation area for the elderly, and set up a group gymnastics course and a scientific fitness lecture hall according to the crowd characteristics of middle-aged and elderly users. In 20 18, the first community-based "internet plus" citizens' gym in Wujiaochang Street and the first community citizens' fitness center in Yin Hang Street that accurately serves the whole people also appeared one after another. Both of them have opened up special areas for the elderly.

Take the Citizen Fitness Center in Yin Hang Street as an example. The center has opened up a "Lohas Space" of 500 square meters. According to the physique of the elderly, the area is equipped with tailor-made professional fitness equipment such as cardiopulmonary function enhancement, isokinetic muscle strength training and microcirculation promotion. In addition, the center also has a sleep research center, a health service center, and a sports area for cardiovascular problems, constipation problems, and lumbar disc herniation to provide exercise solutions for common chronic diseases for the elderly. In terms of fees, the public welfare period during the day and the "Lohas Space" specially designed for the elderly bodybuilders charge 99 yuan every month and 3.3 yuan every day. At present, the center has more than 400 elderly members.

The Citizen Health Service Center of Wansheng Economic Development Zone, a government-enterprise cooperative gym in Chongqing, provides sports rehabilitation services for the elderly and provides comprehensive and detailed physical monitoring for free. Nanjing has built a comprehensive elderly care center combining medical care with nursing care. Based on the three functions of home care, medical care, culture and entertainment, the center has added a fitness center for the elderly and is equipped with professional fitness equipment for the elderly.

Nowadays, various clubs and community places hold a large number of fitness activities, many of which are specially provided for the elderly. During the holidays, many sports fans came to Qingdao Xinxing Sports Club in Shandong Province to participate in physical fitness activities. The picture shows tennis enthusiast Liu Jianxin returning the ball to welcome the new year in the tennis match. Photo by Chen Xiaowei (Xinhua News Agency)

Further improve the fitness service for the elderly.

-Enterprises should give full consideration to the fitness needs of the elderly, and the elderly should do what they can, exercise gradually, and put safety first.

Although there are many elderly people in the gym, many elderly people have doubts about going to the gym for fitness. "It's all young people working out in it. I am too embarrassed as an old man. " Huang, who lives in Huai 'an City, Jiangsu Province, said.

Price is another reason why the elderly are reluctant to go to the gym. Gao, from Chaoyang District, Beijing, said: "The current gym costs several thousand yuan to tens of thousands of yuan a year, which is too expensive for me."

Insiders pointed out that due to the instability of the elderly's physical condition and the possibility of sudden illness, many gymnasiums have set age limits explicitly or implicitly, which also limits the elderly from going to the gym for fitness activities to some extent.

Some old people who used to apply for membership cards in the gym reported that many old people chose to "quit" halfway because of the noisy environment, lack of suitable fitness equipment, lack of fitness courses for the elderly and too much promotion.

Experts suggest that in view of the problems faced by the elderly in fitness, on the one hand, the relevant departments should actively take measures to build fitness venues suitable for the elderly, do a good job in publicity and supervision, guide the elderly in scientific fitness, and standardize the management of fitness venues; On the other hand, enterprises should fully consider the fitness needs of the elderly in the operation process, provide hardware facilities in a targeted manner, and offer relevant courses so that the elderly can spend money to buy good services and exercise happily.

Wang reminded the elderly from their own point of view that to go to the gym for fitness, the elderly should be fully prepared, do what they can on the basis of understanding their physical condition, and the intensity of exercise should be gradual, and strenuous exercise should not be chosen. About equipment, posture, exercise intensity and so on. We should demand more from gym staff and put safety first. "Specifically, the elderly should focus on aerobic exercise, which can not only improve the body's metabolism, but also enhance cardiovascular function. Generally speaking, fitness programs suitable for the elderly include jogging, brisk walking, Latin dance, yoga and so on. " Wang said to him. (Author Liu Xin Qiu Haifeng)

Overseas Edition of People's Daily (May 2, 20 19/No.1 1 Edition)