Satisfying The Over-50 Fitness Market

Just because someone has celebrated a half-century on this planet, doesn't mean he or she no longer wants to play competitive sports.

"The biggest turn off to the over-50 age group is that people think we are only interested in shuffleboard. We are still very competitive within our age group."

- Sam Geati, Palatine

Men and women age 50 and over are the largest segment of our society. And they're more active than ever. They are seeking sports and fitness opportunities and expressing interest in physical activity.

Following are six proven tips for tapping and satisfying this booming fitness market, culled from Palatine Park District's successful over-50 softball league.

Word-of-mouth publicity is a fast and inexpensive way to spread the word about anything. Encourage members of a particular fitness group to recruit friends for the program.

While the numbers in this age group are now large, it is still difficult for one community to have enough participants to run a quality program for men or women ages 50 and older. Running a program in cooperation with neighboring park districts benefits everyone involved and increases attendance figures.

Television, newspapers and radio stations love to cover stories on this age group and the uniqueness of their programs. Media coverage can garner immediate interest for the program, and people in this over-50 age group are avid newspaper readers, television viewers and radio listeners.

Unconditional support of the group and program in all aspects is crucial. This age group appreciates everything you can do for them regarding recreational opportunities. Give them the attention aquality program deserves and the numbers will grow.

If a member of the program can be your liaison with the group, things will get done more efficiently. Forming a relationship with the liaison helps promote your care and interest for the program. If the program requires an instructor, hire someone from the over-50 age group. An instructor from the same generation can relate well with the participants and has a vested interest in the group.

Solicit new ideas from the group. If new ideas will get more people involved, take advantage of them. Who knows what they want more than the participants themselves?

For 10 successful years, the Palatine Park District has offered a drop-in softball program for men age 50 and older. Initially, the program met two mornings a week and new teams were chosen every morning. Over the years the program grew and in addition to the morning program, a Wednesday league was created with the intent of offering a more competitive program. Permanent teams were formed after the participants signed up as individuals. Teams played a 10-game schedule plus playoffs and all games had paid umpires.

The morning drop-in program now has two full fields going every Tuesday and Friday morning. The Wednesday evening program, which began with four teams has grown to eight.

The program also moved indoors for winter months to offer volleyball and basketball. Each year two volleyball teams represent the senior sports program in the Six County Senior Olympics. They have come home with the gold and silver medals for the past six years.

The six tips for growing an over-50 fitness program were, and still are, instrumental in the success of this program. Group members who act as liaisons for the Tuesday/Friday morning program and "commissioners" for the Wednesday evening league have been key in moving the program in the direction the participants want it to go.

Sam Geati, commissioner of the Palatine Senior Softball program and founder of the "Geezers Over-50 Travel Softball Club," feel what his age group wants most is the opportunity to play.

"It's fun and rewarding. The biggest turn off to the over-50 age group is that people think we are only interested in shuffleboard. We are still very competitive within our age group."

As the program has developed, other park districts (Wheeling, Deerfield, Prospect Heights, River Trails, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, and Arlington Heights) have joined this softball league. All districts promote the programs and some provide facilities. Regardless of the level of involvement by each district, the most important aspect is that they are simply involved in the program. Without participation by all of the districts, the program in Palatine may not be in existence today. Involving these seven park districts has been instrumental in the continued growth and success of the program. Providing a program for this age group is as rewarding as being an active participant.

As one player always says: "This program has given us the opportunity to once again play on our field of dreams."

Satisfying the Over-50 Fitness Market

Just because someone has celebrated a half-century on this planet, doesn't mean he or she no longer wants to play competitive sports.