Getting gray hair doesn’t suddenly mean a person changes their lifestyle and health habits.

But as the body ages, the benefits of a fit body increase. No longer is the sole reason for sweating and working out to look good. Now it is to LIVE life.

First thing to remember — doctors are there for a reason. Ask them what kind of exercise is appropriate. Ask friends as well. With that base of knowledge go out into the world of fitness.

For instance, a well-informed friend will know that swimming exercises almost all the muscles of the body at once. The Poulsbo Athletic Club (360-779-3285) offers a toning Senior Splash five days a week. Participants are in the pool for 45 minutes of directed movement.

Feel the burn? Well, you don’t need to. The objective is to keep the body working normally.

“The first step is to get at least 30 minutes of activity that makes you breathe harder, on most or all days of the week,” said the National Institute on Aging. “That’s called “endurance activity,” because it builds your stamina. That way you can keep doing the things you need to do and the things you like to do.

“One doctor describes the right level of effort this way: If you can talk without any trouble at all, your activity is probably too easy. If you can’t talk at all, it’s too hard.”

The Olympic Fitness Club embraces this idea. They offer a Silver Sneakers class during the week and a Fitness Yoga class for seniors, offered four days a week.

The Bremerton Health and Racquet Club (360-377-9051), offers swim hours, and exercise classes for older adults. Silverdale Fitness (360-698-2264) offers Senior Aerobic Classes. In Poulsbo, try the Low Impact Aerobics or Tap Dance Classes offered at Armstrong Fitness University (360-697-4296).

Even those with critical mobility problems can get exercise; the continuing recuperation of the once-completely-paralyzed Christopher Reeve attests to that. He’s now 50 years old.

Apparently, older people are getting the message.

“The mature market now represents 23 percent of all fitness memberships, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association,” said Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging, “and 43 percent of all hospital wellness center memberships, according to the Medical Fitness Association.”

But the amount of exercise needed is unclear. Here’s and idea though. For the ultimate in low-impact exercise, don’t forget the Kitsap County Horse-shoe Pitchers Association. Come again? Yep, they hold competitions around the county, including at the Fairgrounds. For more information call Art Sperber at (360) 692-9315.