Health and fitness are major concerns for most seniors, often because they’ve spent decades ignoring those topics. If that includes YOU, at what age did you decide 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 heading to gyms and working out regularly. Most marathons these days have athletes 60 and older joining them, and even more older people take part in half marathons. 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 fitness isn’t up to par with extreme sports for seniors, the good news is that you can get started much more simply. Health and fitness requires proper 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 a problem for you, how long have you not been riding 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 maybe simple, non-impact exercises like yoga or Tai Chi work better for you. Almost any older adult can perform each at a very basic level, and can increase the level of it as their body adapts. 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 your own age will also help keep you going and increase your sense of accomplishment as you go.
And remember, when you’re 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 sporting goods store or department store. If you’re feeling more adventurous, talk to the manager of any local gym – more and more personal trainers are getting special training to work with seniors (thanks to the large baby boomer demographic), and it’ll certainly help you get started. 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 developed with just a little initial effort. Regain your health starting today for a longer and happier life – the benefits for YOU are countless!