Senior Fitness in San Diego

Seniors looking to stay fit have plenty of options in San Diego, from studios with classes specially tailored for seniors to online classes to try from the comfort of home. Whether you exercise regularly or are looking to start a new routine, find the senior fitness routines that are right for you. We’ve got some ideas and places in San Diego that can help you reach your fitness goals! 

Senior Fitness Classes & Resources in San Diego:

Leo’s Fitness Lab

This fitness club located near Mission Hills has a senior-friendly approach with personal trainers for seniors who tailor workouts to each person’s specific needs. 

Ed Brown Center for Active Adults

With over 400 members, this center in Rancho Bernardo provides seniors an opportunity to connect with the community not only through a variety of exercise classes, but through other activities like lunches and social gatherings. 

Mesa Fitness

The fitness program for seniors at Mesa Physical Therapy in Clairemont Mesa offers a comprehensive assessment, personal exercise plan, and structured exercise programs with instructor supervision. 

Silver Sneakers

For more than 25 years, the Silver Sneakers program has been helping older adults to partake in physical activities to achieve their fitness goals. Being Fit Clairemont offers a variety of classes to help keep seniors moving. 

Online Senior Fitness Classes & Resources:

The YMCA

Of course you can join your local Y and use the equipment and join group exercises classes there, but if you like the convenience of working out from home, check out their “Move & Stretch” and “Balance” classes, specifically designed for seniors to take online. 

YouTube

For free senior fitness classes online, simply pull up YouTube on your computer or smart tv and type “senior exercise” in the search bar. You can also search for the type of workout you want to do such as “senior strength training” and find plenty of results for customized workouts, all for free. 

Best Exercises for Seniors

If you want to mix up your current routine, or need some ideas on how to start, here are types of exercises that are great for seniors:

• Resistance band workouts: If you’re a beginner to strength training, using a stretchy band instead of weights adds resistance to a workout without adding the stress that a heavy weight may do.
• Chair yoga: This low-impact workout improves mobility, balance, and flexibility.
• Walking: Walking is a great way to burn calories, work the body, and can be done indoors or outdoors, alone or with friends.
• Water aerobics: Exercising in the water is gentle for people who have joint pain or arthritis.
• Pilates: Pilates is a low-impact form of exercise that can improve core strength and body alignment.
• Strength training: Strength training helps build muscles and boost the metabolism. Start with light weights and build up from there.

For more senior workout ideas, check out our article on exercises for seniors to do at home.

Why It’s Important for Seniors to Exercise

While movement and exercise is important for everyone in order to improve our mental and physical health, it’s even more important to continue these habits as we age. Some benefits of regular exercise for seniors include:

• Improves balance: Fall-related injuries are much more serious in seniors than in younger people, and regular exercise helps seniors keep joints and muscles working properly to make falls less likely.
• More energy and a better mood: Exercise releases those feel-good endorphins that help promote a sense of well-being, leads to better sleep, and combats stress.
• More independence: Regular exercise helps keep people fit enough to do everyday tasks and not need to rely on others as often.
• Prevent disease: An active lifestyle can help fight heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, and more.