Health and fitness are major concerns for most seniors, often because they have spent decades ignoring these issues. If that includes YOU, at what age did you decide that your fitness level was not a priority? Fortunately, in most cases, it’s not too late – you can start to regain your health and fitness at any age!
From treadmills to exercise machines to free weight areas, more and more people over the age of 60 are regularly hitting up gyms and exercising regularly. Most marathons these days have athletes 60 and older joining them, and half marathons involve even more seniors. And golf courses, tennis courts, and squash courts are often packed with seniors, both for their enjoyment and to help them get and stay in shape.
But if your physical condition isn’t quite up to the task of extreme sports for seniors, the good news is that you can start much simpler. Health and fitness require adequate exercise, nutrition, and enough rest to fully recover. But older people don’t need to make big changes to improve their lives—even small changes add up over time.
What is your current activity level? If most of your exercise consists of walking from the couch to the bathroom, taking a walk around the block every day would be a good start. If mobility is not an issue for you, how long has it been since you’ve ridden a bike regularly? If mobility is an issue, consider moderate exercise—there are plenty of bodyweight exercises and stretches you can do at home without lifting weights.
Or perhaps simple, non-impact exercises like yoga or Tai Chi would suit you better. Almost any older adult can perform each at a very basic level, and you can increase the level of it as your body adjusts. You don’t even need to join a class for either – there are plenty of videos or DVDs available online that you can follow at home. Again, no equipment is needed to get started…
Does your community have recreation centers? If they have a pool there, you can easily enjoy yourself while working on your fitness level, and many also have pool exercise classes for seniors. Any nervousness you feel about starting to exercise in front of others will likely fade quickly as you experience the social benefits of exercising with other seniors in your local community. Socializing with a group of like-minded peers will also help you keep going and increase your sense of accomplishment as you go along.
And remember, when you are physically ready, the gym will always be there to welcome you! If you want to start lifting weights at home, it’s as easy as starting with a pair of dumbbells purchased at your local sports store or department store. If you’re feeling more adventurous, talk to the manager of any local gym – more and more personal trainers are receiving special training to work with seniors (thanks to the large baby boomer demographic), and they’ll certainly help you get started on the road. right way if you hire one for at least your first gym sessions. When lifting weights, it’s best to start with shorter, lighter workouts and progress from there—you’ll be asking your body to move and stretch in unfamiliar ways, so don’t overdo it in the early stages.
As you can see, fitness for seniors can take many paths, and all of them can be easily started and built with just a little initial effort. Get healthy starting today for a longer and happier life – the benefits to YOU are countless!
