Twenty thousand years ago a cave man threw a rock at a beehive in a tree and missed. Other male tribe members immediately threw other rocks to hit the beehive…and likely others in the tribe began to place wagers on who could hit the beehive and bring it down.
Ok, I made that up. But I’m guessing the male fascination with sports started something like that, and still continues throughout our lives even now.
Starting with little league baseball, peewee football and youth basketball or soccer, most guys grow up playing a sport. It was, for our parents, a great way to burn off some of our youthful energy while learning good sportsmanship, how to compete, and being a team player. For many a new kid in a neighborhood, joining a local sports team was the first step in making friends – that sometimes last a lifetime.
Sports as Guys Age
While guys’ interest in sports continues as we age (and for men and women playing a sport is part of healthy aging), The National Institutes of Health cite age 55 as the time when our participation starts declining.
But not necessarily. The medical community suggests we continue – no matter what our age. Experts say the best sports for seniors bolster bone strength and balance, in activities from pickleball to volleyball. Some of these sports are favorites of Senior Planet Sponsored Athletes – if you want some inspiration check out this list.
Different Sports for Different Ages
Still, few guys in their 60’s are playing touch football. For many of us, achy knees or gimpy ankles will transition us away from high-contact sports to pickleball, tennis, golf and bowling. (And for guys like me, who gave up pickleball to save my knees, there are less jarring activities like biking, paddle boarding and fishing.)
Making adjustments as we age is all part of the process of the passing years. It’s not having to let go of past activities, but rather moving on to new ones.
Should you have the need for competition– for an opportunity to see how you fare against others your own age– there is the National Senior Games Association. It provides contests in a number of sports, some 30 categories in all. From Archery to Volleyball, from Power Walking to Triathlon, there are many options for folks looking to test their abilities, first by qualifying at the state level (the list is here) in 2024 before moving on to national competition in 2025.
A Sports Spectator and Fan
The passion many guys have for sports—from wearing silly hats to gathering in a pub (when the lawn needs mowing) — may stem from our desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves. We might be rooting for different teams, but we have gathered together for a collective experience.
We may think we know the outcome of a match and then we are both humbled and surprised by a simple bounce of the ball. We are entertained and lured into thinking we know what is best for a particular team or know which team is stronger. And most of the time we laugh at our mistakes, hubris, and trash talk. Sports is unifying no matter who you root for or play against. I can’t say that about some other competitions such as …politics! Argue with your buddy about sports rather than politics and your friendship will stay strong.
Sports have been the glue that keeps my 34 year old son and me in frequent contact. We both follow our beloved Celtics, and we both have opinions on what we would do if in charge of the team. Although he lives two time zones away from me, we often watch part of a game while on the phone with each other; debating, criticizing, strategizing, and laughing.
Why Guys and Sports?
From being part of a team, to being part of a fan base, men seem to talk more freely about sports than just about any other subject. Sports brings out a sense of comradery, and that social interaction has been proven time and time again to give us better physical and mental health.
So while my new athletic activities such as swimming and biking are often solitary, team sports are still important to me as a reason to get together with friends and watch. We haven’t come all that far from the cave man who first tossed that rock and his friends wanted to do the same…
…only better!
Michael J. Tougias is a New York Times bestselling author and co-author of 30 books for adults and nine books for middle readers. His latest book is Extreme Survival: Lessons From Those Who Have Triumphed Against All Odds. Tougias speaks to both business groups and at public libraries across the country. www.michaeltougias.com
COMMENTS
Sign Up for Newsletters
There’s always a lot going on in the Senior Planet universe. Get our newsletters to make sure you never miss a thing!
Sign Up Now
Join Senior Planet Community
Senior Planet Community is our social media platform designed specifically for older adult users. Engage in thought-provoking discussions, make new friends, and share resources all on a safe and ad-free platform.
Join the Conversation Today
Upcoming Online Classes
Calendar of Events
S Sun
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
0 events,
0 events,
16 events,
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography
Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography
Come learn about QR codes, augmented reality apps, and more!
How to Choose a New Computer
How to Choose a New Computer
Registration required.
This informational session addresses some of the most common questions surrounding how to choose a new computer.
Is That AI?
Is That AI?
Can we really believe what we see? Come to this class to train your eye to recognize AI!
13 events,
29
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Virtual Tour: Lima, Peru
Virtual Tour: Lima, Peru
Join Senior Planet and our tour guides from Discover Live for a virtual visit to Lima, Peru!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
訊息應用程式
訊息應用程式
這次的講座會談到三款普遍的應用程式:iMessages、 Google Chat 和 微信 WeChat。您會學到如何傳送訊息、圖片、使用音訊和視訊通話, 以及瞭解這些應用程式如何確保您的訊息安全。
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
This presentation will introduce you to apps that help you learn different languages, explore the arts and art history, and even show you how to play instruments.
14 events,
30
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Digital Tools to Boost your Business
Digital Tools to Boost your Business
Learn about online tools to jump-start your start-up.
Digital Storytelling
Digital Storytelling
This lecture covers digital tools to bring out your creativity.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
11 events,
31
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Gardening Tech At a Glance
Gardening Tech At a Glance
Can tech give you a green thumb? Come to this lecture to find out!
¿Es eso IA?
¿Es eso IA?
¿Podemos realmente creer lo que vemos? ¡Venga a esta clase para acostumbrarse a reconocer la IA!
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
Understanding Bluetooth
Understanding Bluetooth
We’ll explain Bluetooth technology, how it works, and the way it impacts everyday life.
3 events,
1
Virtual Reality at a Glance
Virtual Reality at a Glance
Join us to learn about the exciting world of virtual reality and how you can experience it!
Intro to Gaming
Intro to Gaming
Game on! Come discover the world of gaming and start playing!
Virtual Museum Tours
Virtual Museum Tours
In this lecture we'll explore some of these virtual galleries, as well as digital tools that help bring art, architecture, and history to life!
0 events,
2
15 events,
3
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Start your week off right with a preview of the week's upcoming programs and a guided meditation session!
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Functional Strength Training
Functional Strength Training
Use bodyweight, bands, and dumbbells to build your strength.
Video Chat
Video Chat
Registration required.
In this lecture, you’ll find out about some commonly-used, no or low-cost video chat apps, learn about their features, and explore video chat tips so you can present your best self when on a video chat.
Mandarin Multilingual Technology Program: 介紹: 谷歌工作區 (Google Workspace)
Mandarin Multilingual Technology Program: 介紹: 谷歌工作區 (Google Workspace)
不想為了軟體花錢嗎?來看看 Google 的免費工具有什麼功能吧。
15 events,
4
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introduction to Booking Vacation Stays Online
Introduction to Booking Vacation Stays Online
Need a vacation? Learn about popular websites and apps for booking vacation rentals.
Online Travel Sites
Online Travel Sites
Learn the basics of using online travel sites to find the best fares and rates for just about any destination.
Intro to Chatting with AI
Intro to Chatting with AI
Learn how to make the most out of ChatGPT and other AI software.
14 events,
5
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Virtual Tour: New York City, New York
Virtual Tour: New York City, New York
Join Senior Planet and our tour guides from Discover Live for a virtual visit to New York City, New York!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
雲端儲存空間
雲端儲存空間
來聆聽為什麼您會想要開始使用雲端儲存空間。
5G Technology
5G Technology
Technology standards continue to improve. Come learn about 5G, the next generation of wireless tech!
13 events,
6
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Google Maps
Google Maps
Registration required.
During this lecture, you’ll get an introduction to Google Maps and a demonstration of how to use it.
Streaming & Smart TVs
Streaming & Smart TVs
This presentation will introduce streaming: what it is, how to use it, and the variety of content available.
Intro to Selling Online
Intro to Selling Online
This lecture will introduce you to different online platforms for selling all kinds of items, including furniture, clothing, household items, and more.
10 events,
7
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introducción a la IA
Introducción a la IA
¡Venga a chatear con ChatGPT y aprenda sobre IA!
Meal Kit Services
Meal Kit Services
Don't want to cook? Learn about meal kit services that take the stress out of meal time!
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
Reddit at a Glance
Reddit at a Glance
Stumped? Find what you're looking for on Reddit!
3 events,
8
Introduction to Nextdoor
Introduction to Nextdoor
This presentation will introduce you to the most common uses for the Nextdoor app and its main features, along with some best practices for using it safely.
Messaging Apps
Messaging Apps
This lecture will go over the features of three widely-used apps: iMessages, Google Chats, and WhatsApp.
Meetup
Meetup
This lecture introduces Meetup, a popular online platform for finding social groups and events all over the world.
0 events,
9
14 events,
10
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Start your week off right with a preview of the week's upcoming programs and a guided meditation session!
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Tips for Being News Savvy Online
Tips for Being News Savvy Online
Registration required.
Sharing the news? Learn to read and check sources before sharing!
Functional Strength Training
Functional Strength Training
Use bodyweight, bands, and dumbbells to build your strength.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
16 events,
11
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Internet of Things: Smart Cities
Internet of Things: Smart Cities
Coming to a city near you! Come to this lecture to learn more about how smart cities are taking shape.
All Things Zoom
All Things Zoom
This lecture will go over how to use Zoom to chat with friends & family, and take virtual classes with Senior Planet!
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
13 events,
12
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Instagram Basics
Instagram Basics
This lecture offers an overview of some of Instagram's more popular features and will give you a taste for what all the fuss is about.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
物聯網:智慧城市
物聯網:智慧城市
快來了解物聯網 (IoT) 技術如何被整合到全球城市的最基本功能中。
Online Rx Drug Resources
Online Rx Drug Resources
Registration required.
Learn helpful tools for understanding drug costs, comparing pharmacy prices, and finding discounts and coupons.
14 events,
13
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Smartphones at a Glance
Smartphones at a Glance
Registration required.
How smart are they? We'll tell you all about smartphones.
Intro to Photo Editing Tools
Intro to Photo Editing Tools
Can you photoshop that? Come learn the possibilities with photo editing tools!
Digital Legacy at a Glance
Digital Legacy at a Glance
Will your digital content and social media pages live on forever? Come learn about your digital legacy options!
10 events,
14
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Internet de las cosas: estilo de vida y entretenimiento
Internet de las cosas: estilo de vida y entretenimiento
¡Descubra cómo el Internet de las cosas está cambiando la industria del entretenimiento!
Digital Scrapbooking Tools
Digital Scrapbooking Tools
Say goodbye to paper cuts! Come learn about digital scrapbooking tools.
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
Using Google Docs Templates for Resumes
Using Google Docs Templates for Resumes
Don't worry about formatting your resume. Let the templates do the work for you!
3 events,
15
Intro to Managing Your Privacy
Intro to Managing Your Privacy
Concerned about privacy? Unsure about accepting cookies? Come learn about some essential privacy tips!
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
Learn how to stay safe while you surf the web!
Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs At a Glance
Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs At a Glance
Concerned about viruses and malware? Attend this lecture to learn how to keep your device safe!
0 events,
16
14 events,
17
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Start your week off right with a preview of the week's upcoming programs and a guided meditation session!
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Functional Strength Training
Functional Strength Training
Use bodyweight, bands, and dumbbells to build your strength.
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
Registration required.
Learn how to stay safe while you surf the web!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
16 events,
18
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Intro to Selling Online
Intro to Selling Online
This lecture will introduce you to different online platforms for selling all kinds of items, including furniture, clothing, household items, and more.
eBay & PayPal
eBay & PayPal
This lecture provides an overview of the popular auction website eBay and the pioneer online payment service PayPal.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
14 events,
19
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Website Builders at a Glance
Website Builders at a Glance
Learn about platforms that make website building a breeze!
iPhone (Apple 智能手機)
iPhone (Apple 智能手機)
來看看 iPhone 為什麼那麼受大家的歡迎。
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
Introduction to Hosting on Zoom
Introduction to Hosting on Zoom
In this introductory lecture, we'll go over what you need to start your first meeting, as well as some hosting tips to make it a success.
14 events,
20
Balance/Strength
Balance/Strength
Activate the joints and muscles to become limber and increase balance during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Social Media for Job Searches
Social Media for Job Searches
In this lecture, we’ll discuss ways to make sure social media helps you when you’re looking for work!
YouTube
YouTube
This presentation will give an overview of the free content available on YouTube and show you how to navigate the site with ease.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
10 events,
21
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Introducción a las herramientas de traducción
Introducción a las herramientas de traducción
Deje el diccionario en casa ahora que hay herramientas digitales que pueden traducir sobre la marcha.
P2P Payment Services
P2P Payment Services
In this lecture, you’ll learn about some of today’s most popular P2P payment services, including PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp.
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
Introduction to Digital Wallets
Introduction to Digital Wallets
You CAN leave home without your wallet! Learn about popular digital wallets and their many uses.
3 events,
22
Saving Money with Tech
Saving Money with Tech
Explore ways that tech can help you save money and manage your finances!
Online Shopping
Online Shopping
This lecture will provide a general introduction to shopping online using the popular website Amazon.com.
Food Delivery Apps
Food Delivery Apps
Learn about the pros and cons, how to search for new restaurants, and how to leave a tip and rating.
0 events,
23
14 events,
24
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Start your week off right with a preview of the week's upcoming programs and a guided meditation session!
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Functional Strength Training
Functional Strength Training
Use bodyweight, bands, and dumbbells to build your strength.
Cloud Storage
Cloud Storage
Registration required.
Learn the basics of cloud storage — a technology that lets you store documents, images, and other media files remotely.
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
16 events,
25
Stronger Bones
Stronger Bones
Activate the joints and muscles and increase mental focus during this exercise class.
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Crowdfunding for Entrepreneurs
Crowdfunding for Entrepreneurs
This presentation will explore crowdfunding—fundraising by gathering small amounts of money from large numbers of people—online.
Job Searching in the Digital Age
Job Searching in the Digital Age
This lecture will provide an overview of how to use social media in your job search, demonstrate digital job searching tools like LinkedIn, and offer tips and advice to job seekers.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
12 events,
26
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Virtual Tour: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Virtual Tour: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Join Senior Planet and our tour guides from Discover Live for a virtual visit to Brazil!
語音助理
語音助理
快來了解 Alexa、Siri 和其他語音助理可以為您做什麼!
Fit Fusion Workout
Fit Fusion Workout
Get your heart pumping during this fun, high-energy workout!
Digital Storytelling
Digital Storytelling
This lecture covers digital tools to bring out your creativity.
13 events,
27
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Online Shopping
Online Shopping
Registration required.
This lecture will provide a general introduction to shopping online using the popular website Amazon.com.
Graphic Design Tools
Graphic Design Tools
In this presentation, we'll explore the popular design platform, Canva, and demonstrate how you can get very creative with basic tools like Google Slides.
Chair Yoga
Chair Yoga
Follow various cues to develop body alignment and breath awareness.
Google Workspace
Google Workspace
Learn about some of Google's most popular productivity tools that are for personal use, as well as work-related ones.
11 events,
28
Morning Stretch
Morning Stretch
Start your day with a short morning stretch!
Food Delivery Apps
Food Delivery Apps
Learn about the pros and cons, how to search for new restaurants, and how to leave a tip and rating.
Usos cotidianos de la IA
Usos cotidianos de la IA
¡Todo el mundo habla de IA! Asista a esta clase para ver cómo la IA es parte de la vida cotidiana.
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Relax your mind and strengthen your body with this gentle exercise class.
Intro to Gaming
Intro to Gaming
Game on! Come discover the world of gaming and start playing!
0 events,
29
0 events,
30
0 events,
1
0 events,
2
0 events,
3
0 events,
4
0 events,
5
0 events,
6
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Smartphone Camera Uses Beyond Photography
How to Choose a New Computer
Is That AI?
Morning Stretch
Virtual Tour: Lima, Peru
Fit Fusion Workout
訊息應用程式
Introduction to Learning Apps – Languages & The Arts
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Digital Tools to Boost your Business
Digital Storytelling
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Gardening Tech At a Glance
¿Es eso IA?
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Understanding Bluetooth
Virtual Reality at a Glance
Intro to Gaming
Virtual Museum Tours
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Morning Stretch
Functional Strength Training
Video Chat
Mandarin Multilingual Technology Program: 介紹: 谷歌工作區 (Google Workspace)
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Introduction to Booking Vacation Stays Online
Online Travel Sites
Intro to Chatting with AI
Morning Stretch
Virtual Tour: New York City, New York
Fit Fusion Workout
雲端儲存空間
5G Technology
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Google Maps
Streaming & Smart TVs
Intro to Selling Online
Morning Stretch
Introducción a la IA
Meal Kit Services
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Reddit at a Glance
Introduction to Nextdoor
Messaging Apps
Meetup
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Morning Stretch
Tips for Being News Savvy Online
Functional Strength Training
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Internet of Things: Smart Cities
All Things Zoom
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Instagram Basics
Fit Fusion Workout
物聯網:智慧城市
Online Rx Drug Resources
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Smartphones at a Glance
Intro to Photo Editing Tools
Digital Legacy at a Glance
Morning Stretch
Internet de las cosas: estilo de vida y entretenimiento
Digital Scrapbooking Tools
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Using Google Docs Templates for Resumes
Intro to Managing Your Privacy
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
Anti-Virus & Malware Removal Programs At a Glance
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Morning Stretch
Functional Strength Training
Protecting Your Personal Info Online
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Intro to Selling Online
eBay & PayPal
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Website Builders at a Glance
iPhone (Apple 智能手機)
Fit Fusion Workout
Introduction to Hosting on Zoom
Balance/Strength
Morning Stretch
Social Media for Job Searches
YouTube
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Introducción a las herramientas de traducción
P2P Payment Services
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Introduction to Digital Wallets
Saving Money with Tech
Online Shopping
Food Delivery Apps
Good Morning, Senior Planet!
Morning Stretch
Functional Strength Training
Cloud Storage
Fit Fusion Workout
Stronger Bones
Morning Stretch
Crowdfunding for Entrepreneurs
Job Searching in the Digital Age
Chair Yoga
Morning Stretch
Virtual Tour: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
語音助理
Fit Fusion Workout
Digital Storytelling
Morning Stretch
Online Shopping
Graphic Design Tools
Chair Yoga
Google Workspace
Morning Stretch
Food Delivery Apps
Usos cotidianos de la IA
Taijiquan (Tai Chi)
Intro to Gaming
Recent Articles
Recent Comments