Increasing numbers of the over-50s are trying to keep fit, a survey has revealed.
A third do some exercise every day, and half do so three times a week.
People aged between 50 and 60 also have their own celebrity role models, the survey revealed.
Women want to look like the singer Lulu and fitness guru Rosemary Conley while men are inspired by the fitness levels of Sir Cliff Richard and football manager Kevin Keegan.
The survey of 700 50- to 60-year-olds was carried out for Norwich Union Healthcare.
Health benefits
The findings of 'Fitter at 50' contradict the perception that many people wind down their physical activity as they grow older.
"
What's most important is that older people continue to be fit and active in a way that suits them
"
Age Concern spokeswoman
More than a quarter of women and 22% of men do more exercise in their 50s than they did in their 30s, the survey found.
Fifteen per cent of men, and 19% of women said they belonged to a gym.
However, 29% of over-50s still say they never take any exercise.
The most common reason for trying to stay fit is the benefit to health, highlighted by over half as a reason to exercise.
A quarter of 50- to 60-year-olds were most worried about heart disease, with 10% most concerned about arthritis, both of which can be combated to a degree by exercise.
Sixteen percent of those surveyed said they exercised to relieve stress and tension.
Keeping fit
Dr Doug Wright, clinical development manager at Norwich Union Healthcare, said the survey was encouraging.
"Time honoured ideas about how older people should behave are disappearing.
"Our research shows that about a third of 50- to 60-year-olds simply refuse to exchange their trainers for slippers."
A spokeswoman for Age Concern England told BBC News Online: "We're delighted that so many over-50s are keeping fit in this way and going to the gym. There are clear benefits for that group of people.
"What's most important is that older people continue to be fit and active in a way that suits them."
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