Senior Fitness

Get your body moving with these healthy activities

Fitness for seniors is a very important and frequently overlooked part of their daily life. Often, it is thought that exercise is only for young, healthy people, but senior citizens can also benefit from increasing their overall level of fitness. Staying fit helps prevent injury and illness, along with improving senior citizens’ quality of life. Walking, yoga, golf, tai chi, lawn bowling and fishing are all good, low-impact senior fitness activities. Of course, be sure to contact your doctor for a complete physical before beginning any new fitness program.

Take it Easy

Seniors may be hesitant to start a fitness regimen because they think it’s too dangerous, especially if they have existing health problems. Of course, it is important to allow for your physical limitations, but there are still many fitness programs that are suitable for senior citizens. If you have a particular condition, look for specialized activities that are designed for those suffering from it. There are many low-impact exercises that will significantly improve anyone’s fitness level and possibly add years to their life.

Even healthy seniors should be cautious when beginning a new fitness program. Start slow and be aware of any unusual pain or stiffness. Some muscle soreness is to be expected, but severe pain or discomfort that lasts more than a couple of days should be checked out by a doctor before you continue to exercise. Most fitness programs for seniors are designed to gradually build up in intensity. This helps people continue to see progress and stay motivated to stick with their exercise routine.

A Well-Rounded Plan

The best plan for overall senior health and fitness is a well-rounded exercise program that includes both strength training and cardio work. While the benefits of aerobic exercise are well known, many people overlook the numerous reasons to train with weights. Osteoporosis is a major concern for senior citizens, especially women. Regular strength training has been shown to increase bone density and slow down bone loss, even in elderly people. Like all senior fitness routines, be sure to start slow and use only light weights until you know what your body can handle.

Always stretch before and after any senior fitness activity. Stretching before exercise will increase your range of motion and help prevent injury. Post-workout stretching releases muscle tension and will reduce soreness in the days after your workout. Stretching can also improve circulation, which helps senior citizens with heart problems or other medical conditions.