Gen Z has revealed what age they consider to be ‘old’ — and it puts Salma Hayek, Mike Tyson and Gordan Ramsay among the geriatrics.
A total of 2,000 adults took part in the study highlighting some of the clear generational differences, particularly between Gen Z (born 1997 to 2012) and Boomers (born 1946 to 1964).
Young people under the age of 27 believe old age hits you in your late 50s, with retirement primarily involving sitting in an armchair (20 per cent) and ‘pottering’ around (16 per cent).
This would mean Gordan Ramsay, Mike Tyson and Salma Hayek are geriatric in the eyes of the young at age 57.
But Boomers believe 60 is the new 40, with two thirds of participants saying they felt more youthful than they are.
One in five Boomers feel up to 20 years younger than their true age, according to the study, with a fifth (18 per cent) saying they’re having the time of their lives.
Boomers are the most active generation, typically spending four more hours outdoors outside of work hours compared to young adults and Millennial workers.
And they’re most likely to enjoy travelling and exploring new places, and are more likely to spend time exercising (56 per cent) compared to 18-to-27-year-olds who were least likely (39 per cent).
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Actress Salma Hayek would be considered geriatric to Gen Zers who took part in the survey. She is 57-years-old and was born on September, 2, 1966
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Chef Gordan Ramsay is also 57-years-old and would be considered old by Gen Z
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Professional boxer Mike Tyson is 57-years-old and would be considered geriatric to Gen Z, according to the survey
It also emerged 68 per cent of Boomers considered themselves an active individual, but 37 per cent were restricted from doing as much as they would like to due to health problems and chronic joint pains.
A spokesman from Wellsoon at Practice Plus Group, which commissioned the study, said: ‘Older generations are extremely active, and many older people are more active than some of their younger friends and family members – with almost half of younger people saying being too busy with work and too tired held them back from being more active.
‘Older people are getting the most out of retirement and have reached an age where they’re comfortable in their own skin and appreciate their bodies and their health.
‘Of all the generations, it was those aged 79 and older who most loved to have fun with friends.
‘They aren’t willing to accept that joint pain is something you have to put up with just because you’re ‘old’- they are going to see it as a bump in the road to be overcome so they can enjoy many more happy and active years.’
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Actress Halle Berry would be considered old at the age of 57 by Gen Z
When considering the meaning of ‘ageing’, a quarter of Boomers associated it with not being as healthy as you are when you’re younger.
While 22 per cent of Millennials thought of it as losing your looks and your appearance changing.
However, there is plenty of hope according to the OnePoll data, with celebrities over 60 such as Helen Mirren, Judi Dench, and George Clooney being the biggest inspirations for all age groups when it comes to ageing well and keeping active.
Globetrotter Michael Palin, turning 81 this week, is one of the most inspiring celebrities to the Boomer and Silent generation.
Boomers said it was when they hit the age of 38 that they learned to appreciate their body, with 80 per cent feeling grateful for their physical wellbeing.
A spokesman from Wellsoon at Practice Plus Group added: ‘We’ve always known that people coming to us for hip and knee replacements and hernia repair aren’t doing so to get back to their armchairs.
‘They want to go dancing, cycling, hiking, they want to swim on holiday and run around in the park with their grandchildren.’
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Brad Pitt would be considered old according to Gen Z. He is 60
Linda MacDonald, 74, from Chard, Somerset, recently completed her 117th 5km Park Run despite having a knee replacement last year.
She said: ‘I was so worried I’d never run again after surgery. Before my operation I thought my running days might be over,’ says Linda, a retired teacher from Chard School.
‘With the agreement of her hospital team, she made a gradual return, taking part in weekly fitness and weight training classes to strengthen her muscles and taking to an electric bike to build up her fitness.
From short runs in her local area, last Christmas Linda went back to her beloved Parkrun in Taunton with her daughter and son-in-law.
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Sandra Bullock would be considered old according to Gen Z at 59-years-old
‘I feel I have been given a gift and a new start. I look to the future and have always said I want to be running when I am 80. Running a regular 5K is part of my lifestyle, and I love the atmosphere of the Parkrun and racing against myself.
‘My time is probably ten minutes slower than before my surgery, but I’ll get there. I have a new lease of life and can continue to do all the things I enjoy and have recently returned to playing golf!’