Eons Fitness Survey Shows Boomers Haven't Lost a Step in Their Quest for the Fittest Life Possible

CHARLESTOWN NAVY YARD, BOSTON, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Eons(TM), the media company for lovin' life on the flip side of 50, today announced the results of its inaugural Eons Boomer Fitness Survey of the fitness attitudes and behaviors of the most physically active and healthy generation in history. Baby boomers who fueled the aerobics movement and who crowded running paths across the country are now reaping the dividends of their active lifestyles, with more than half saying they are in excellent or above-average condition, according to the survey.

"Baby boomers are the generation that made Jane Fonda's aerobics videos best-sellers and they took up Jim Fixx's challenge to become a nation of runners," said Jeff Taylor, founder and CEO of Eons. "They have goals they want to accomplish, whether it's travel, building new relationships, or just living the biggest life possible, and boomers know they can only do that if they keep their chassis in great shape."

Scott "Q" Marcus, an Eons fitness advisor whose "Walking the Walk" blog on eons.com inspires readers with practical, powerful and effective fitness and weight-loss advice, said, "The key to fitness is to remember that 'small steps done regularly always generate better results than large steps done intermittently.' In other words, it's better to walk a block - and actually do it - than promise yourself you'll run a mile, but sleep in instead. No one can do it all; you can't be perfect. But you can be better, and Eons is the place where boomers are connecting around fitness."

More than 4,000 Eons members, most between ages 50 and 65, completed the online survey at eons.com, and some of the key findings include:

  -- When asked to identify their No. 1 problem body area, 66 percent cited
     their abdominals, while 10 percent said hips and buttocks. Combined,
     arms and legs were most important to 7 percent.
  -- More than half, 52 percent, said they have no physical limitations that
     keep them from the activities that help them stay fit.
  -- Competitive sports were out of favor with 66 percent of respondents,
     with the exception of golf (7 percent of respondents play it for
     fitness), competitive running (4 percent) and tennis (3 percent).
  -- Most respondents, 73 percent, said their fitness-building habits are
     more than a year old.
  -- A majority, 58 percent, called their fitness activity level moderate,
     while 22 percent said they exercised at a high or very high intensity.
  -- When asked what fitness activity they would indulge in if they had
     sufficient time and money, 40 percent said they would take an extended
     walk, 17 percent would take an active vacation, 15 percent would
     participate in an outdoor activity and 11 percent would run or bicycle.
  -- Walking is the favorite fitness activity for 48 percent of respondents.
     Fifteen percent lift weights, 7 percent bike, ski or participate in
     other outdoor activities, and 5 percent run or jog.
  -- More boomers prefer to exercise alone (43 percent) than with an
     exercise buddy (21 percent).
  -- Exercise classes that boomers were most interested in exploring were
     yoga/Pilates (22 percent) and aerobics/dance (12 percent).

"Eons is the destination on the Web where boomers are sharing their fitness stories, meeting inspiring new friends and celebrating their fitness success," said Taylor. "In 90 different discussion groups, Eons members are learning and sharing their wisdom about fitness over 50, weight loss, nutrition and specific fitness activities like biking and swimming. Boomers grew up before video games and 900 cable channels - they have always been active and in motion, and they're not stopping now!"

Eons has collaborated with several partners to develop a fitness book with low-impact exercises to help boomers and seniors jump-start their fitness. The book can be downloaded at http://www.humana-medicare.com/fitness , or can be ordered by calling (800)710-1601.

About Eons(TM)

Eons, Inc., inspires and connects adults who are lovin' life on the flip side of 50 with tools and resources to help make the most of today, tackle dreams and adventures, and celebrate memories and accomplishments. Founded by Jeff Taylor, creator of Monster.com, Eons has attracted a team of renowned advisors and industry-leading partners and is backed by venture capital financing from General Catalyst Partners, Sequoia Capital, Charles River Ventures and Intel Capital, as well as Humana, Inc. It is supported by corporate founding partners Harrah's Entertainment, Hyatt Corp., Humana, Inc., Liberty Mutual Group, Fidelity and Verizon Wireless. Eons is headquartered in Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, Mass. For more information about Eons, visit http://www.eons.com/ and http://www.cranky.com/ .

  Contact:
  Linda Walsh (617) 227-0012, ext. 263
  lwalsh@thecastlegrp.com
  The Castle Group, Inc.