The Brain Needs Exercise, Too

Members come into your facility every day to work out their bodies. They are trying to lose weight, gain muscle, lower their chances of disease, improve their time in a race and more. However, a small but growing number of members may also be coming into your fitness center to work out their brain.

Studies have found that exercise can improve brain function and memory. One study found that a simple, hour-long exercise program twice a week had a positive effect on the ability of Alzheimer’s patients to perform daily activities. Another found that schools that push fitness and nutrition among students have seen standardized test scores rise by as much as 50 percent over two years.

Exercises specific to the brain can also help improve memory, or at least slow its decline. Puzzles, games and educational activities can help people’s minds stay sharp. An article published by ABC News says that the brain is particularly stimulated by multi-tasking, such as playing a game and socializing at the same time. It also thrives on trying new things — even something as simple as taking a different route to work or switching around your exercise routine.

With more older adults becoming members of fitness centers, the time may be right to offer “mind exercises” to your members. In addition to the exercise options you already offer, why not offer special classes or activities for the brain? You could offer weekly or monthly seminars on a variety of topics (not necessarily fitness- or health-related, since learning of any type helps to stimulate the brain), daily or weekly brain teasers or puzzles (members turn them in for a prize drawing), a word-of-the-day posted in the locker rooms, or classes on your group schedule that combine exercise with memory activities or learning.

Ideas abound for how you can encourage members to exercise their brains. Your older members will especially appreciate these types of offerings, and you can solidify your role as a whole-body fitness center, or even just one that likes to have fun and engage its members with puzzles and games.