The 50+ Sports and Fitness Program

Albuquerque seniors over the age of 50 are invited to participate in sports and fitness activities through the City’s, Department of Senior Affairs, 50+ Sports and Fitness program. Seniors keep active and healthy with a range of sports and exercise activities at senior centers, satellite centers, and weight training facilities.

Studies show that with exercise, mature adults can retard bone loss, increase muscular strength, remain active, prevent falls and live longer independently. 

The Palo Duro Senior Sports & Fitness Center is a 50+ strength training facility and serves as the headquarters for the 50+ Sports & Fitness Program. The 50+ Sports and Fitness Program includes individual and group weight training classes at 3 fitness centers; aerobic and gentle exercise classes at all the senior centers; Adapted Aquatics; a Winter Sports Program; a winter competition called the “Fantastic Freeze Fest”; a walking program; and the Albuquerque 50+ Games. For more details, schedules of classes and descriptions of Senior Sports and Fitness Program activities throughout the City of Albuquerque pick up a 50+ Sports & Fitness Catalog from your nearest senior center.

Palo Duro Senior Sports & Fitness Center

Address: 3351 Monroe NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

Phone: (505) 880-2800
Fax: (505) 883-9362
Email: kbaker@cabq.gov

Program Manager: Karen Baker 
Office Manager: Antoinette Sigala
Office Assistant: Jean Martin

Hours of Operation

Monday – Friday 7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Saturday 8:00 am – 2:00 pm

Strength Training Rooms   

The 50+ Sports and Fitness Program offers “state of the art” strength training facilities at the Manzano Mesa Multigenerational Center, the Palo Duro Senior Sports and Fitness Center, and the new Los Volcanes Senior Fitness Center. Individual and group strength training classes are available. Instruction includes cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, flexibility, back stability and practical instruction on how to use the weight machines.

Exercise Classes

Exercise Classes are designed to improve strength, balance, flexibility, cardiovascular capacity, endurance, and bone density. Exercise classes are conducted Monday through Friday at the Department’s seven senior centers and include an active aerobic class, called the “Strengthen, Lighten & Tighten” class; a gentle chair based exercise class called the “Gentle, Strengthen, Lighten & Tighten” class. In addition, an “Introduction to the Strengthen, Lighten & Tighten” class is offered once a month for those who would like to learn and/or practice the dance steps.

Adapted Aquatics

Adapted Aquatics classes are open to anyone interested in a more active lifestyle. The classes are designed to improve strength, balance, and flexibility, and build muscles and bone density. Adapted Aquatics is the perfect exercise for individuals with arthritis and/or limited mobility because the exercises are not stressful to joints and limbs. Classes are currently held at the West Mesa Aquatic Center and will return to the UNM therapy pool in December 2008. Adapted Aquatics is inexpensive at 50 cents round trip, for the van ride from the City of Albuquerque senior centers and 50 cents to use the pool.

50+ Winter Sports Program & the Fantastic Freeze Fest

Albuquerque’s 50+ Winter Sports Program includes classes and recreational trips in snowshoeing as well as downhill and cross country skiing. A cross country skiing refresher course is offered at the beginning of the ski season. 

Recreational day trips in snowshoeing, downhill and cross country skiing are held each week from January through the end of March. Cross country skiing trips are scheduled on Tuesdays, snowshoeing on Wednesdays and downhill skiing on Thursdays. The cost for transportation for all 3 sports is $9.00 which includes your transportation, an experienced ski guide and snowshoes for the snowshoe trips. Lift tickets for downhill skiing are the responsibility of participants. Day trips in cross country skiing and snowshoeing are scheduled to the Jemez, Sandia’s or Manzano mountains. Downhill ski trips are primarily to Santa Fe Ski area with occasional trips to Sandia Peak Ski area.

Details and registration forms are found in our 50+ Sports & Fitness Catalog, available at any senior center.

All trips leave from the Senior Sports and Fitness Center. For more information, call the 50+ Sports & Fitness Program at 880-2800.

The Fantastic Freeze Fest

The 50+ Winter Sports Competition, “The Fantastic Freeze Fest” is held in mid-February and includes competitions in downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, ice skating, and ice hockey. 

The Fantastic Freeze Fest is held on multiple days at Sandia Ski Area, Santa Fe Ski area and the Outpost Ice Arena. Competitions include races in downhill skiing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and ice hockey! The Fantastic Freeze Fest culminates with a complementary awards ceremony with both door prizes and prizes for the winners of each event.

See the 50+ Sports & Fitness Catalog for a registration form and a list of each event’s venue and time. Catalogs are available at any of the City of Albuquerque’s senior centers.

Albuquerque Senior Games (formerly, Albuquerque Senior Olympics)

The Albuquerque Senior Games includes competitions, workshops, and practices in the following sports!

Air Gun Archery Badminton Basketball Free Throw

Basketball 3 X 3 Bocce Ball Bowling Cycling

Dance Competition Golf Horseshoes Eight Ball Pool

Racewalking Racquetball Road Race Shuffleboard

Softball Swimming Table Tennis Talent Show

Tennis Track & Field Triathlon Volleyball

Weight Training

The Albuquerque Senior Games, (formerly the Albuquerque Senior Olympics), is now year-round! See the 50+ Sports & Fitness Catalog for a registration form and a list of each event’s venue and time. Catalogs are available at any of the City of Albuquerque’s senior centers.

The Albuquerque Senior Games are competitions in 25 sports for everyone who is 50 years young and older by December 31, 2008. Competitions include both beginners, intermediate and advanced athletes and include events for all levels of expertise. Age divisions are divided by five year age increments starting at 50 and continuing to age 100. Athletes who place first to third in the Albuquerque Senior Games receive ribbons and the first to sixth place finishers qualify to participate at the New Mexico State Senior Olympics in Las Cruces in August 2008. First through third finishers at the 2008 New Mexico State Senior Olympics qualify to participate at the National Senior Games in San Francisco in 2009.

Albuquerque Senior Games Event & Registration Schedule

Session 1 – Register by Friday, December 14, 2007 for January through March 2008 events which include: Weightlifting, Eight Ball Pool, Racquetball, Air Gun, Swimming, Badminton, and Basketball Free Throw.

Session 2 – Register by Friday, March 14, 2008 for April through June 2008 events which include: Tennis, Talent Show, Dance, Cycling, Archery, Golf, Bowling, Track & Field, Race Walking, Horseshoes, and Bocce Ball.

Session 3 – Register by Friday, June 14, 2008 for July through September 2008 events which include: Air Gun, and Swimming.

Session 4 – Register by Friday, September 12, 2008 for October through December 2008 events which include: Shuffleboard and Table Tennis.

Walk About Albuquerque

The “Walk About Albuquerque” is a fun, informative walking program that explores the City of Albuquerque on your feet. Walkers will learn the science of walking, how to walk effectively, safety tips, different types of walking and how to use a pedometer and walking poles.
Fitness walking is defined as moderate to brisk walking that often challenges the cardio respiratory system. It is an inexpensive, convenient and simple activity to perform with minimal risk of injury.

The $15.00 cost includes a pedometer, walking charts, instruction on correct walking techniques and handouts, the use of walking poles, an experienced fun guide and transportation! All trips leave from the Palo Senior Sports & Fitness Center, 3351 Monroe NE. Call 880-2800 for more information.

Week 1, Walk 1: A Blossoming Adventure
Walk the Botanical Park while learning how to walk for the health of it.

Week 2, Walk 2: Tramway Walk
See the sights of the City on your feet.

Week 3, Walk 3: Nob Hill
Learn about the architecture of this historical area of Albuquerque.

Week 4, Walk 4: The Albuquerque Bosque
Discover the natural side of Albuquerque

Week 5, Walk 5: Take a Walk on the Wild Side!
Walk among the animals and be Wild!

Week 6, Walk 6: Plaza to Plaza
Civic Plaza to Old Town Plaza. 250 years of Albuquerque history.

Session 1: Mar 24, April 7, 14, 21, 28, May 5

Session 2: May 19, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Session 3: Aug 25, Sept 8, 15, 22, 29, Oct 6