11 Burning Questions About SilverSneakers—Answered!
- Honest Healthcare
- May 13, 2020
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 22, 2024
Here’s what you should know about this health and fitness program designed for older adults.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a no-cost gym membership for older adults? What if you could also take fitness classes designed for seniors and led by supportive instructors? And have access to on-demand video workouts you could do anytime?
If that sounds like the perfect program to help you get and stay fit in your golden years, we have awesome news for you. If SilverSneakers is included in your Medicare Plan, you can have all of that—at no additional cost to you.
To help you learn more and take advantage of SilverSneakers, we put together this handy guide to the questions we hear most often from older adults and their loved ones.
Question #1: What Is SilverSneakers?
SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program designed for adults 65+ that’s included with many Medicare Plans. SilverSneakers members can:
Go to thousands of gyms, community centers, and other participating fitness locations across the nation.
Take fun exercise classes designed for seniors of all fitness levels and led by trained instructors.
Access an on-demand video library of classes and workouts.
Download the SilverSneakers GO app to get your digital membership card and workouts (free, iOS and Android).
Find a friendly, supportive community in person and online.
The goal? To help you stay strong in body, mind, and spirit. Regular physical activity keeps your heart, brain, bones, muscles, and joints healthy. If you have a chronic condition like arthritis, diabetes, or osteoporosis, safe exercise can help you feel better. Plus, staying social is vital to good health.
According to SilverSneakers members, it works. In fact, 94 percent of members rate their health as excellent, very good, or good. And 88 percent say SilverSneakers has improved their quality of life.
Question #2: How Do I Get SilverSneakers?
If you currently have a Medicare Plan and you want to see if it includes SilverSneakers, you can check your SilverSneakers eligibility instantly here.
If you’re new to Medicare or looking for Medicare Plans that include SilverSneakers, you can find participating health plans here.
Question #3: I Lost My SilverSneakers Card. How Do I Get a New One?
If you’re already a SilverSneakers member, you can get your digital membership card instantly here.
To make things even easier, download the SilverSneakers GO app (free, iOS and Android). You’ll be able to:
Access your digital membership card anytime.
Find SilverSneakers locations and classes near you.
Discover, schedule, and track your workouts.
Question #4: Is There an Age Requirement for SilverSneakers?
SilverSneakers is a health and fitness program designed for adults 65+ that’s included with many Medicare Plans, but there’s no age requirement. If you have a Medicare Plan, you can check your SilverSneakers eligibility instantly here.
Question #5: What’s Included in a Gym Membership with SilverSneakers?
You’ll get a basic membership at any gym and participating location in the SilverSneakers network. Facilities and amenities vary by location, but if available, that generally means you can use:
Cardio equipment, such as treadmills and ellipticals
Strength equipment, such as weights and strength machines
Amenities, such as pools and walking tracks
It does not include extras like smoothies, massages, or personal training. If you choose to arrange and pay for those on your own, you certainly can.
What else you should know: Unlike some other senior gym memberships, you can go to all—yes, all—of the gyms and participating locations in the SilverSneakers network.
Question #6: What Types of Exercise Classes Are Available, and Who Teaches Them?
You’ll find a variety of fun exercise classes designed for seniors of all fitness levels and interests. Classes vary by location, but if available, you’ll find:
Cardio and strength classes, which often offer a chair for support
Water aerobics classes
Chair and standing yoga classes
Tai chi, boot camp, and so much more!
SilverSneakers classes are led by supportive instructors who are trained in senior fitness. They can help you learn how to do exercises safely and adapt exercises for your needs.
Not a fan of the traditional gym? You might like SilverSneakers FLEX classes, which are taught at recreation centers, local parks, and other neighborhood locations.
And like gym memberships with SilverSneakers, you can go to all—yes, all—of the classes in the SilverSneakers network.
Learn more about why SilverSneakers members love our classes and what SilverSneakers instructors know that other trainers don’t.
Question #7: How Do I Find a Location or Class, and Can I Go to More Than One?
To find participating fitness locations or classes in the SilverSneakers network near you, use our location tool, or download the SilverSneakers GO app (free, iOS and Android).
And yes, you can go to any participating location or class you like in the SilverSneakers network, even if you’re traveling. For example, you can use weights or exercise machines at one location, swim in the pool at another location, and take a SilverSneakers or FLEX class at a third location.
Question #8: Do You Have Workout DVDs or Online Classes?
We don’t have DVDs, but if you’re a SilverSneakers member, you get access to our on-demand video library of classes and workouts. You’ll find videos for:
Cardio
Strength training
Fall prevention
SilverSneakers EnerChi
You’ll also find nutrition videos, such as healthy eating habits for older adults and how to read food labels.
To get started, log in to or create your online account.
Question #9: What’s the SilverSneakers Community Like?
Friendly. Supportive. Motivating. Fun. Like family. That’s how members often describe the SilverSneakers community.
What they all know: SilverSneakers is more than a fitness program, and often it’s the friendships that people make that keep them coming back. Many SilverSneakers groups even plan social events outside of classes, like potlucks or outings around town.
This social support has real health benefits. SilverSneakers members who participate in group exercise are more active, feel healthier, and are less likely to experience social isolation than non-members, according to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology AgeLab study.
Question #10: Do You Sell Silver Sneakers—or Silver Slippers?
We don’t sell shoes of any kind, but we do offer SilverSneakers shirts, exercise bands, and bags at the online SilverSneakers store.
Question #11: I Have More Questions! Can You Help?
If you have questions about your SilverSneakers eligibility or membership, you can call us at 866-584-7389 or email us at support@silversneakers.com.
Check Your SilverSneakers Eligibility Instantly
SilverSneakers members can go to thousands of gyms and fitness locations across the nation, plus take exercise classes designed for seniors and led by supportive instructors. If you have a Medicare Plan, it may include SilverSneakers—at no additional cost.
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