SAN DIEGO, May 28, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- They danced, pumped, sculpted and shimmied; they walked, jumped, lunged and lifted – and it didn't matter whether they were 64 or 84 years old! More than 350 seniors strutted their stuff and showed off their fitness routines during the first ever Silver&Fit "Fitness is Timeless®" YouTube video contest.
The video entries came from all corners of the country: from Miami to Maui, and Las Vegas to Pittsburgh, as fitness facilities vied to demonstrate their fitness classes tailored for older adults.
"We had a blast recording our video," said 73-year-old Silver&Fit member Maxine Manges-Foss, who has lost 35 pounds this year, thanks in part to her membership at Maui Powerhouse Gym on the island of Maui in Kihei, Hawaii. "We are loving having our moment in the spotlight!"
"I've never seen our members have so much fun," said Eugenia Brandemarte, manager of The Health Club at Southpointe in Canonsburg, PA. "Filming these videos provided a great opportunity for everyone to be creative, get some exercise and have some good laughs."
The Silver&Fit YouTube contest winners were:
First Place
The Health Club at Southpointe
Canonsburg, Pa.Second Place
Punahou Fitness Center
Honolulu, HawaiiThird Place
Porky's Gym
Miami, Fla.Fourth Place
The Center for Fitness
Kerrville, Texas
"We were thrilled to have so many of our Silver&Fit members and contracted fitness facilities participate in our first ever YouTube video contest," said Brett Hanson, vice president, Silver&Fit. "We think all of our fitness facilities do an extraordinary job of providing older adults with the kinds of exercise classes and programs that are tailored to senior needs. Through our joint relationships, we work with them to provide members with no cost or low cost access to the Silver&Fit Signature exercise classes, Zumba Gold® and Zumba Dance, senior yoga, tai chi, aqua aerobics, cardio classes and strength classes."
"It is especially fitting that we announce our award winners this week, as older adults all across America will be celebrating health and fitness during National Senior Health & Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 29," added George DeVries, chairman and CEO of American Specialty Health.
American Specialty Health's Silver&Fit Exercise & Healthy Aging Program is a new National Sponsor for National Senior Health & Fitness Day in 2013. The goal of National Senior Health & Fitness Day — celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2013 — is to promote the importance of regular physical activity, and to showcase what local organizations are doing to help improve the health and fitness of older adults in their communities. The organization expects more than 100,000 older adults will participate in local health and wellness events at 1,000+ locations across the country this year. Events may include health fairs, exercise demonstrations, health screenings, nutrition tips, presentations by health and fitness experts, and more.
The Silver&Fit Exercise & Healthy Aging Program is also a 2013 National Sponsor of the Mature Fitness Awards®, the nation's first fitness recognition program for older adults. Adults ages 50 years and older can earn recognition for their fitness achievements.
About the Silver&Fit Exercise & Healthy Aging Program
The Silver&Fit program is an exercise and healthy aging program providing unique, evidence-based fitness and health education activities for Medicare beneficiaries and group retirees. As part of the Silver&Fit program, members have access to: no-cost or low-cost memberships at a comprehensive network of contracted fitness clubs and exercise centers; the Silver&Fit Home Fitness Program for those unable to participate at a fitness facility or who prefer to work out at home; SilverandFit.com, a website with a variety of health tools and resources specifically designed for older adults; The Silver Slate® quarterly newsletter; and a toll-free customer service hotline. Follow Silver&Fit on Twitter @SilverandFit , Instagram @SilverandFit , YouTube at www.youtube.com/silverandfit , and Facebook at www.facebook.com/SilverandFit . The Silver&Fit program is a product of American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc., a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH).