What Is SilverSneakers? Plus How to Stay Fit in Retirement

Maybe you stumbled across something online talking about free fitness programs during retirement or heard some friends mention how they enrolled in the SilverSneakers program. If this has you asking, “What is the SilverSneakers program?,” you’re not alone.

SilverSneakers is a popular fitness program for people ages 65 and older that’s offered through more than 60 Medicare Advantage and Medigap (Medicare Supplement insurance) plans.

The program was founded in 1992 by Mary Swanson to help her father recover from a heart attack. Her goal was to develop a program that improves health and well-being, according to the SilverSneakers website.

Keep reading to learn what SilverSneakers covers, who’s eligible, where to find participating fitness centers and more. If you love free benefits that help you live a happier and healthier life, you won’t want to skip over this one.

The SilverSneakers program provides free access to online workout videos, local gyms and community exercise classes. At local gyms, you have access to workout equipment and specific amenities, as well as classes offered on-site.

There are a lot of benefits to the SilverSneakers program, but keep in mind that it won’t cover all of your gym expenses. Personal training, massages and other similar extras like smoothies or protein shakes aren’t included in the program and you’ll have to pay for them yourself.

The program itself is covered by your insurance, so you shouldn’t have to pay anything out of pocket unless you get something that isn’t covered through the program.

Original Medicare — Medicare Part A and Part B — does not cover gym memberships or fitness programs, including SilverSneakers.

Medicare will only pay for physical therapy your doctor decides is medically necessary to treat your injury or illness.

Only select Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans that participate in the SilverSneakers program provide access to gyms, instructors and other program resources at no extra cost to you.

There are over 60 Medicare Advantage and Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans that offer a SilverSneakers membership at no additional cost to you. These insurance providers differ from state to state; however, a few include:

To learn which insurance plans cover SilverSneakers membership in your state, visit the Participating Health Plans page on the SilverSneakers website.

Though SilverSneakers is designed for people ages 65 and older, there is no age requirement. You simply have to have a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan that participates in the program. If you’re not 65 but have a disability or other reason for having a Medicare Advantage or Medigap insurance plan, you’re still eligible for the SilverSneakers program.

If you are not yet enrolled in Medicare, but are looking for Medicare Advantage or Medigap coverage, ask if a plan includes SilverSneakers membership before making your purchase.

The SilverSneakers program has agreements with thousands of gyms and trained fitness and exercise instructors at more than 17,000 locations. The trained instructors provide fitness programs designed specifically for seniors.

The program also has an on-demand video library for people who prefer exercising at home and a program that holds fitness classes outside of gyms in parks, community centers and churches.

The SilverSneakers website suggests there are programs near most Americans. You can check at the SilverSneakers website or on the program’s app for locations near you.

The SilverSneakers smartphone app allows you to access fitness programs, track and schedule workouts, and find participating SilverSneaker locations near you or where you plan to travel.

If your plan covers SilverSneakers, you can download a digital membership card on the app. It works on both iOS and Android phones and tablets and gives you access to your membership card at any time.

Understanding all the ins and outs of Medicare and the SilverSneakers program can seem overwhelming at first. The more questions you ask about specific insurance coverage plans and what is covered by SilverSneakers, the more you’ll understand. Look through the frequently asked questions below to learn what other people are asking.

If you’re not eligible to enroll in the SilverSneakers program, there are other options for gym memberships and fitness plans available. One program, Silver&Fit, offers benefits similar to SilverSneakers such as free online classes and gym memberships. It also offers free healthy aging coaching and you can earn rewards by tracking your physical activity.

To enroll in Silver&Fit, you’ll need to sign up for a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan that includes this program.

If you don’t have a qualifying Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan, you can also sign up for individual classes or coaching at your local gym. You’ll have to pay for these out of pocket, but it’s a great way to stay active — both physically and socially.

Getting regular exercise is a huge part of promoting healthy aging in seniors. Physical activity helps to reduce the risk of a number of serious conditions that range from heart disease to cancer.

Exercise can also keep you both physically fit and mentally sharp late into life.

SilverSneakers offers seniors an easy and straightforward way to get physical activity that is specifically catered to older adults. Access to online classes can keep you engaged and working out regularly.

The included membership to a gym can also be huge, since it allows seniors to use all sorts of exercise equipment that they don’t have access to at their homes.
On top of making it easier for seniors to get exercise, SilverSneakers can also make it easier to get into a routine, which is a key part of keeping up with exercising.

Regularly scheduled classes and support from a group can help to keep seniors from giving up on working out or not getting enough physical activity.

Staying fit as your body and life circumstances change takes effort and dedication, but it’s worth it. Stephan Baldwin, founder of Assisted Living Center, mentioned the following in an email to RetireGuide:

“Physical activity is very important for people in their 60s and beyond. It promotes muscle growth and mobility, allowing seniors to perform day-to-day activities with ease as they age.”

One study in the Journal of Applied Physiology found that 75-year-olds who consistently exercised four to six times a week for the majority of their lives had a heart that looked 30 years younger.

There’s never a perfect time to do anything, so in order to see results, you must make a concerted effort to change your lifestyle and live healthier. Look through the visual at the bottom of this article for ways to stay fit in retirement by utilizing the SilverSneakers program.

Now that you can confidently answer, “What is SilverSneakers?,” it’s time to find out if you’re eligible to enroll. If you’re not sure whether your Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan includes this benefit, talk with a Medicare advisor to find out. They can also help you decide if it’s time to enroll in a new plan, when you can do so and what plan may be best for you.