Aging in Place: A Growing Opportunity for Health Clubs and Gyms
Each year, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) surveys clinicians, researchers and practitioners about the top trends in the fitness industry. Two trends that placed in the top 10 of the 2025 survey – Exercise Programs for Older Adults (#3) and Functional Fitness Training (#9) – point to a unique business opportunity for health clubs and gyms.
Here’s why.
As the population ages, a significant number of older adults are looking to age in place. Just how many? According to a 2021 AARP survey, 77 percent of people aged 50-plus want to stay in their homes and community for as long as they can.
Why Focus on Older Adults?
Older adults are one of the fastest growing population segments. In fact, 2025 marks a milestone in the United States as a record number of Americans – roughly 11,400 – will turn 65 every day. And this year, approximately 73 million baby boomers will be 65 and older, representing more than a fifth of the U.S. population.
To achieve the goal to age in place, many boomers are prioritizing their health and wellness, taking proactive steps to stay active, independent and mobile.
Aging in Place and the Role of Fitness
An older adult’s ability to age in place depends on several factors, but one of the most critical is their fitness level and ability to manage daily tasks safely and confidently. And what influences that ability? Getting regular exercise that focuses on functional fitness, balance, mobility and overall wellbeing.
And that’s where the opportunity lies for health clubs and gyms.
Offering specialized exercise programs and certified instructors trained in working with older adults can open the door to a growing market and boost membership. And older adults who find a health club or gym that supports their wellness goals and offers a welcoming sense of community are more likely to remain loyal, long-term members.
Supporting Older Adults with Inclusive Fitness Equipment
Offering the right fitness equipment is another piece of the puzzle to meeting the exercise needs of this demographic. Many older adults are still comfortable using treadmills or ellipticals for their cardio workouts. While others, especially those with arthritis, knee replacements, etc., are searching for low impact options that allow them to get the workout they want without stressing their joints. And for those with mobility issues, accessibility and ease of use are also important criteria for fitness equipment.
That’s where NuStep comes in.
Designed with Accessibility in Mind
NuStep’s family of products are thoughtfully engineered with inclusive design features that can meet the exercise needs of users of virtually every age, fitness level or functional ability. Easy to access and easy to use, NuStep’s T6 Recumbent Cross Trainer, UE8 Upper Body Ergometer and RB8 Recumbent Bike, offer a top-tier solution for health clubs and gyms seeking to provide a greater variety of exercise options for its members.
The T6, UE8 and RB8 are uniform by design, sharing features and functionality that make transitioning between machines easy. And while they deliver distinctly different workouts, T6, UE8 and RB8 work together in supporting healthy aging.
A Mission That Makes a Meaningful Difference
Supporting older adults in their goal to age in place not just a wellness trend, it’s a mission-driven business opportunity. By offering exercise programs and equipment that can help older adults stay fit and independent, health clubs and gyms can build lasting relationships, diversify revenue and make a meaningful difference in the lives of their members.
