YMCA reaches agreement to keep SilverSneakers program

MANSFIELD — The YMCA of North Central Ohio will continue offering SilverSneakers memberships at its Mansfield and Shelby locations through 2025, CEO Cristen Gilbert announced Wednesday afternoon. 

“I’m pleased to let you know that the YMCA of North Central Ohio and Tivity have come to an agreement on a reimbursement rate allowing the Y to continue offering programs and services to SilverSneaker members,” Gilbert said.

SilverSneakers is a community fitness program designed specifically for seniors that offers participants access to free gym memberships and exercise classes. The program is free through certain health insurance and Medicare Advantage Plans.

The YMCA had previously informed members it would discontinue SilverSneakers in 2023. After members expressed their disappointment, YMCA leaders went back to the bargaining table with the program’s parent company, Tivity Health.

“I would like to extend a special thank you to all of our members who were persistent in voicing their concerns to their insurance companies and Tivity,” Gilbert said. 

The YMCA’s new, two-year agreement with SilverSneakers will begin in January.

SilverSneakers is available at multiple fitness centers across Richland County.

Emily Freeman, an exercise physiologist at the OhioHealth Ontario Health and Fitness Center, said she’s seen people benefit physically and socially from the program.

“Regular exercise for any population can help prevent and delay health problems that come along with age,” she said. “I think in this population particularly, one driver that helps is maintaining independence.”

In addition to strengthening muscles, Freeman said the program’s social aspect helps improve cognitive function, strengthen social ties and reduce depression risk.

“The fitness center becomes like a club to a lot of people,” she said. “They develop great friendships not only with staff but with fellow SilverSneakers and people that they’re working out with.”

According to the SilverSneakers website, the following are the current additional SilverSneakers locations in Richland County:

• Planet Fitness Mansfield – 2155 Village Mall Dr., Ontario 
• OhioHealth Ontario Health and Fitness Center – 1750 W. 4th St., Ontario 
• Curves (women only) – 1044 Park Ave. West, Mansfield
• Kingwood Center Gardens – 50 N. Trimble Rd., Mansfield
• Madison Fitness Center – 926 Ashland Rd., Mansfield
• Snap Fitness Mansfield – 1034 Ashland Rd., Mansfield
• Levels Gym – 19 East Main St., Plymouth
• Snap Fitness Shelby – 209 Mansfield Ave., Shelby
• Shelby Community and Senior Center – 154 North Gamble St., Shelby
• Built by unity – 5780 St. Rt. 13, Bellville

While the program is designed for adults 65 and older, SilverSneakers has no age limit. Anyone can see if they qualify using the SilverSneakers instant eligibility check. 

People interested in SilverSneakers can also call or visit a fitness site to see if they qualify. Freeman said visitors to the fitness center are often pleasantly surprised to find out they qualify.

“Even if they think they don’t qualify, we always double check for them,” she said. “If anyone wants to check their eligibility, they can call the fitness center or they can stop out.”