Silver Sneakers is a fitness program offered to qualifying individuals who are Medicare eligible. It is not offered through Medicare, but rather, through a Medicare supplement insurance offered by some Pennsylvania Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, Aetna, Humana and AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance. This program allows qualifying insurance holders a free basic fitness center membership. At the Canton Fitness Center, the Silver Sneakers gives participants access to the weight machines, free weights, cardio equipment and group fitness classes during staffed hours.
This program does not cover the cost of any premium services or key access card. Silver Sneakers eligible members are welcome to purchase any additional services at very reasonable rates. A first time trainer session can be purchased at 25% off the regular price to get you started. This will help you learn how to set-up and use the equipment, and helps keep you safe during your exercise session. To find out if you qualify for Silver Sneakers, call your insurance provider. Some insurance providers have been sending information packets to their members, and some people have their Healthways Silver Sneakers cards already. If you aren’t sure whether your insurance covers the Silver Sneakers program, call the fitness center.
Silver and Fit is another similar fitness program offered to the same age group of people. This program is offered through American Specialty Health and uses insurance companies such as Aetna, Priority Health and others. This again offers members with qualifying insurance plans, a free basic membership to the fitness center. These members are also welcomed to purchase additional services or put a deposit on the access key card to have the ability to use the facility during unstaffed hours. Again, check with your insurance company to see if this is part of your member benefits. If you can’t get in contact with your insurance company, the fitness center can verify eligibility in just a few simple steps for you.
Many people often ask, “If these are no cost memberships, then how does the fitness center get paid?” Every time members come into the facility they have to check in either on the Silver Sneakers sign-in tablet or sign in on the sign in sheet. At the end of the month the fitness center reports these visits to the appropriate clearinghouse, and we get paid for each member visit logged at the fitness center. The members don’t have to worry about anything other than making sure to check in when they visit and use the fitness center.
To benefit the over 65 group – or any beginner, there are Modified Metabolic Circuit group training sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:45 AM. During this session the group works on functional movements, cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, balance and flexibility exercises. All the exercises are modifiable and can be altered to meet the needs of each individual.
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