Keeping fit is a big deal at any age, but for those reaching into the Golden Years exercising can be as much about being social as it is about staying healthy.

“It gets the seniors out the home and involved in a program,” said Mary Malvey, trip and fitness coordinator at the Bremerton Senior Citizens Center.

But what makes it especially fun is the fact that keeping fit doesn’t require lifting weights or going to the gym necessarily — anything from line dancing to walking will help. The Bremerton center even has tap dance and ballet classes for seniors as well as senior softball and wiffle ball teams, along with a variety of other programs.

For a low-impact workout, yoga, Tai Chi and similar exercises are perfect for mature adults. With Tai Chi, “Seniors get to work on flexibility, improve balance, and help decrease falls,” said Malvey, who also teaches Tai Chi at the center. ”Falls can be devastating for seniors.”

Tai Chi, based on an ancient Chinese martial art, involves gentle moves and stretching but it also builds muscle strengths. It’s easy on the joints and has an added bonus: Some instructors, such as Malvey, use a move routine so the participants also get to exercise their memory.

“Because it’s slow moving and gentle, even people with limitations can do it. There is a sense of accomplishment,” she said. She also focuses on the social aspect, recognizing that many older adults come to class so they can also interact with other people.

Walking is another low-impact and effective way to exercise, and mall walking has gained in popularity in recent years. It’s a safe place to walk, away from the elements and not far from restrooms, water and other facilities, making it a hobby in itself. People who enjoy exercise for the social aspect as well as physical can join a group such as the Kitsap Volkssporters, which organizes regular scenic walks around the area for various difficulty levels.

If you prefer the gym atmosphere, check into a national program called the Silver Sneakers. Several Kitsap area gyms participate in it. Silver Sneakers is a benefits program under Medicaid, but at some gyms you don’t have to be enrolled in Silver Sneakers to participate in the exercises.

The Silver Sneakers classes are designed to improve strength, balance, and range in motion, said Marie Kolstad, assistant manager and fitness director at the Bremerton Tennis and Athletic Club. “It’s a low impact class; they can stand or sit,” she said. All the classes are free to members, and Kolstad said the club has various membership specials and discounts for seniors. Water aerobics, Tai Chi and other offerings are available.

Whatever option someone chooses to stay fit, there is one golden rule of thumb: It must be something fun.

“Whether playing softball or line dancing, it needs to be something people enjoy and look forward to, and then they’ll stick with it,” Malvey said.