Stronger at any age

SilverSneakers is back in action, and it’s hitting even harder than ever before. 

Bionic Barbell, a local fitness center with two locations in Las Cruces, has reintroduced the popular senior fitness program to the weekly offerings. It’s not just a reboot however, it’s a full-on upgrade. With state-of-the-art pneumatic Kaiser machines and a dedicated team of passionate coaches behind the movement, SilverSneakers is finding a new sense of identity inside the gym’s walls.  

“We’re excited to bring the program back and show what’s possible when you invest in safe, effective equipment for every fitness level,” said Brian Cady, co-owner of Bionic Barbell. “We’ve created a space where people can grow stronger, smarter, and more capable. No matter where they’re starting from.”  

The key feature that sets Bionic Barbell apart from the other fitness centers, is its advanced pneumatic training machines. They’re specifically designed for control, safety, and customization. Especially for older adults.  

“The great thing about the Kaiser machines is you can actually adjust it mid-repetition,” said Rich Kahle, lead trainer for the senior programs. “You don’t have to put it down to change weights. The buttons are ready right there. So, if you do your first three and your like, ‘Okay this is easy,’ and then all of a sudden the fourth one gets harder, you can just take a little bit off without having to stop.”  

 “You don’t have to make a 10-pound change. You can make a one-pound change, or even a half-pound change. That’s what I really like about it. The feeling of the weights is a certain thing, and it recruits the muscle in a different way. So, you’re training more aspects of how to use your muscle by integrating the pneumatics, as well as the regular weights.”  

But it’s not just about the machines, it’s about what people get back from using them.  

“I’ve had a client who had gotten injured and one day came in to work so happy that she had vacuumed her whole house, because she had the stamina,” Kahle said. “It didn’t take her three days or even make her sore after. It’s the small victories we take for granted as younger people.” 

Another member, Margie, suffered a knee issue over the holidays. But because of the consistent training, she was able to rehab quickly and return to her routine. 

 “That’s what it’s about,” Kahle said, “Giving people more of their normal life back.”  

He said those kinds of stories also help push back against a constant myth in society. 

“The idea that you’re too old, I mean you're never too old to start, but you’re always too young to cook,” he said. “That’s the biggest misconception people have. We can always train to improve things. If you start at 60, we’re never going to get you in the shape you’d be at 16. But you’d be amazed at what you can accomplish.” 

One of Kahle’s longtime participants, Lois Visage, discovered his class nearly seven years ago before the pandemic hit. 

“I literally walked into one of Rich’s classes when it was still at Senior Amigos,” she said. “He had just started the weight training class, and that was before COVID.”  

Now, nearly a decade in, Lois has been training consistently alongside a group that has grown together through seasons of change. Together, training has become more than exercise. It has become a shared symbol of strength, purpose, and support that guides them through their weeks and elevates their lives. 

That kind of consistency is exactly what Cady and Kahle hope the rebooted SilverSneakers will continue to inspire. They will do this by giving seniors not just access to equipment, but a thriving and supportive environment that’s sole purpose is to improve strength and longevity. A link to their website to get started now is https://bionicbarbell.com/silversneakers