Of all the things we do for our bodies, exercise is one of the most beneficial. It can profoundly affect your balance, mobility and strength. No matter how many candles are on your cake, exercise only gets more important for your health as you age.
Regular exercise can also be the difference between relying on others for daily activities or maintaining independence. The reality is that your workout routine may need to look a bit different than it did when you were younger. Here are the safe and beneficial exercises for older adults according to experts.
A common misconception among the aging population is that exercise is unsafe and should be avoided. This is untrue and works against older adults achieving and maintaining optimal health. Fitness is key to healthy aging.
Physical activity is safe for older adults when done correctly and is necessary for a healthy life. The benefits of exercise among the aging population are strongly supported by the CDC, physical therapists and personal trainers across the globe.
Kevin Robinson, DSc, a physical therapist and professor of orthopedics and kinesiology, shared some general guidelines for safe exercising for older adults:
Focus on minimal-impact activities, like water exercise, recumbent stationary bikes and ellipticals.
Join SilverSneakers programs often offered at local health clubs. These are usually covered by insurance and are designed specifically for older adults. One benefit of these programs is that you can also make friends, which will help you attend consistently.
Focus on certain muscle groups like gluteals (butt), quadriceps (thighs), biceps and abdominals, and know your limits.
Make stretching and balancing exercises part of your regular exercise program.