Favorite Sports for Baby Boomers

Swimming

Whether it’s laps in the pool or a water aerobics class, baby boomers are making quite a splash. According to the Sporting Good Manufacturers Association, swimming for fitness is the leading inspirational activity for boomers. Not only are more boomers looking to get wet for fitness purposes, the National Swimming Pool Foundation states that more boomers are going pool-side to learn the fundamentals of swimming to gain confidence and reduce the fear of drowning.

Aquatic fitness is a good form of low-impact exercise that is easy on bones and joints. However, simply being submerged in the pool can have health benefits as well. Cardiac output is heightened when submerged due to hydrostatic pressure on the body. This forces more blood to the central organs and mimics effects caused by aerobic exercise. As boomers continue to age, more of them take to the waters for exercise. It may not be the fountain of youth, but the health benefits of aquatic fitness may increase a lifespan.    

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Tennis

There’s no love lost on the tennis court among boomers. Boomers make up 12 percent of the 27.8 million tennis players in the United States and continue to grow. The aerobic and cardiovascular benefits attract and retain boomers, especially those who are members of a club that provide courts. Boomers make up 22 percent in overall revenues for the tennis industry with 1.07 million falling in the ‘frequent player’ category.

From 2009 to 2011, cardio tennis experienced double-digit gains in overall population, driven in part by the boomer generation, as well as the rise of social media networking, according to a report from Sporting Good Manufacturers Association. As more individuals fall into the ‘boomer’ category every day, the tennis industry, among other sporting industries, is shifting campaigns to target what will soon be the largest age group in the U.S. According to Racquet Sports Industry Magazine, 10,000 people every day will turn 65 for the next 19 years. The same article describes boomers as “The ‘New’ Older Market,” stating that 76 percent of Americans plan on a more active lifestyle during retirement.    

Fishing

Baby boomers are casting out more lines than ever. According to a 5-year study from the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, baby boomer fishing participation has increased 28 percent. This is partly attributed to retiree migration to coastal areas. Tropical climates and a laid-back atmosphere are luring boomers out of corporate America and directly on to sandy beaches. This directly correlates with an increase in the number of fishing boomers.

Boomers aren’t the only ones with bobbers in the water, though. Fishing has seen an increase in participation across age groups as reported by the U.S. Census. The number of people fishing in 2011 was 11 percent higher than in 2006.

Baby boomers are being reeled in as fishing participation grows. In fact, 13.3 million boomers could be spotted with a pole in the water in 2011 and numbers are expected to increase.

Cycling

Often cited as the seventh most popular recreational activity in the U.S., cycling is an alluring sport among all age groups; however, trends show that individuals spend more days a year on a bike as they age, based on an article by Glusken Townley Group, LLC.

Boomers make up one third of all bike riders, according to a National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) report. Male boomers are more frequent cyclists than female boomers. Among male boomers, 54.5 percent of them bicycle for fitness, transportation, recreation, or a combination. Male boomers bike an average of 61.7 days out of the year. Female enthusiasm for cycling is a touch lower. Only 45.5 percent of female boomers are frequent cyclists, averaging 59.9 days out of the year.

Interestingly enough, these numbers increase, both in average participation and the number of yearly biking days as individuals age. Those 75 years and older have the highest percentage of cyclists in their age group, and spend more days out of the year on a bike than any other age group.

The cycling industry is sitting pretty when it comes to revenue. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, Americans annually spend more on bicycling gear and trips ($81 billion) than they do on airplane tickets and fees ($51 billion). And, if cycling trends continue to grow as people age, there is great potential for growth on the horizon.    

Hiking

Baby boomers are taking time to enjoy the scenery. Outdoor recreational activities are popular among boomers and seniors. The Sporting Good Manufacturers Association reported that more than 1.5 million Americans age 55 and older hike at least 15 days a year.

With the rise in social media, hiking groups have become a popular way to connect with other boomers interested in hiking.

Hiking can be leisurely or difficult based on an individual’s fitness level and desire. This appeals to a wide range of boomers as age can take a toll on the body. Additionally, no special equipment is required.

As baby boomers age, the average age of hikers will increase. Three out of every ten hikers will fall into the age group 55 and up. According to The Outdoor Foundation, a third of outdoor aficionados, including hikers and campers, are 45 years of age and older.

Based on a study by the Outdoor Foundation, hiking is the number five most popular outdoor activity with 12 percent of Americans, or 34.5 million, participating annually.    

Yoga

Spandex-clad, body-contorting, deep-breathing yoga enthusiasts aren’t limited to 20-somethings. Baby boomers are grabbing mats and heading to yoga studios and fitness clubs across the country to find tranquility.

Balance, strength, and flexibility can wane with age; yoga focuses on improving these areas in individuals and modifying the practice to fit a person’s ability. Recent studies have shown that Yoga can also balance blood pressure, and that the breathing techniques can cleanse air passages.

More and more people are taking advantage of the health benefits of yoga. Yoga is the ‘popular girl’ of the fitness industry. Since 2001, the number of people participating in yoga classes has grown 16 percent per year.

The yoga industry has not lost sight of the ever-increasing enthusiasm and popularity of the practice. In fact, it capitalized on it. According to Headwaters MB, the number of yoga and pilates studios has grown 5.9 percent per year from 2007 to 2012, with 26,610 current studios in business. Additionally, revenue in this industry has grown 7.7 percent per year faster than any other fitness industry except fitness DVD production.

Boomers are all about joining health and fitness clubs. Since 1997, health club members aged 55 and older have increased by a whopping 519 percent, as compared to 52 percent growth in the 18 to 34 age group.