Senior Yoopers work out free with new fitness program

HOUGHTON — Seniors in the Houghton area can now take advantage of a program designed to help keep them fit.

Silver Sneakers is a health and fitness program for Medicare-eligible individuals that have the program as part of their health plan.

The program also allows members to get either a free membership or one for very low cost to a qualified fitness center. The U.P. Health System-Portage Fitness Center in Houghton was recently certified to participate in the Silver Sneakers program.

U.P. Health System-Portage Health & Fitness Manager Angela Luskin said, “They look for programs that have a fitness facility that offers different amenities, cardiovascular equipment, different strength training equipment. They like to see fitness facilities that have group exercise classes and have nice amenities for their members.”

The staff worked to bring the program to the center for over a year to become the only certified center in the area. Luskin said, “The next closest Silver Sneakers, to my knowledge, is in the Marquette area and, from the stats that Healthways gave us, there are over 300 Silver Sneakers eligible individuals within a ten mile radius of our fitness center.”

To be eligible for the Silver Sneakers program, you must be 65 years or older and have Medicare. The staff at the fitness center can help you determine if you qualify.