SAN DIEGO, April 1, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Silver&Fit Exercise & Healthy Aging program, a fitness program for older adults offered by American Specialty Health Fitness, has signed a contract with the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA to provide no cost or low cost exercise programs to Medicare beneficiaries in the region. The Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA is now offering the Silver&Fit program to Medicare members enrolled in Humana, Aetna or Health America Medicare Advantage plans.

Anchored in 15 locations throughout Delaware, Philadelphia, Montgomery and northern Chester counties, the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA serves more than 90,000 members and 140,000 individuals a year, regardless of age, income or background, with the goal to improve the nation's health and well-being.

Silver&Fit currently provides exercise and healthy aging programs to more than 50 Medicare Advantage plans nationwide, covering more than 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries. The Silver&Fit program is available at nearly 10,000 fitness facilities across the country, ranging from large, national fitness chains to YMCAs to smaller, regional facilities.

"We are happy to welcome the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA's network of Y's to the Silver&Fit family," stated George DeVries, chairman and CEO of American Specialty Health. "Clinical research has demonstrated that older adults who exercise routinely can maintain, or even improve, their health. And regular exercise may slow the progression of certain health conditions, such as obesity, hypertension, depression, arthritis, back pain or heart disease."

The Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA contract with Silver&Fit will provide eligible members with:

The YMCA is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

ABOUT THE SILVER&FIT EXERCISE AND HEALTHY AGING PROGRAM

The Silver&Fit program is an exercise and healthy aging program providing unique, evidence-based fitness and health education activities for Medicare beneficiaries and group retirees. As part of the Silver&Fit program, members have access to: no-cost or low-cost memberships at a participating, contracted fitness club or exercise center, or to the Silver&Fit Home Fitness Program for those unable to participate at a fitness facility or who prefer to work out at home; SilverandFit.com, a website with a variety of health tools and resources specifically designed for older adults; The Silver Slate(R) quarterly newsletter; and a toll-free customer service hotline. Follow Silver&Fit on Twitter @SilverandFit, Instagram @SilverandFit, YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/silverandfit, and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SilverandFit.

The Silver&Fit program is a product of American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc., a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH).

The Silver&Fit logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=13048

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Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA Joins With the Silver&Fit(R) Exercise & Healthy Aging Program to Offer No Cost and ...