The Best Senior Workouts

best senior workouts for residents

Exercise has long been known as one of the most important keys to healthy aging. Seniors who are physically active on a daily basis enjoy less aches and pains, more energy, better mobility, boosted moods and even improved memory. In fact, exercise has been shown to even reverse some of the signs and symptoms of aging!

If you aren’t currently taking part in any sort of senior fitness program, there’s no time like the present to start. Don’t let your current physical health discourage you from exercising; there are plenty of safe exercises for seniors that allow you to start off slowly and gain more strength and endurance gradually.

Senior Fitness Made Easy

Seniors of any health or fitness level can easily add some physical activity into their daily routines. Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle is not healthy for those over the age of 50, as being inactive for long periods of time leads to a loss of independence. Older adults who start exercising later in life even show greater improvement in their physical and mental health than those years younger than them!

Before starting any new senior workouts, consult with your doctor to make sure you get the clearance to get started. This is especially necessary if you have any pre-existing conditions. Then, determine what your goal is. Are you looking to drop a few pounds? Do you want to improve your mobility and strength? Would you like to be able to walk two miles without breaking a sweat? Setting a goal will help keep you motivated as you progress in your fitness routine.

Some of the best workouts for seniors include:

  • Chair exercises. If you currently have limited mobility, chair exercises offer a perfect way to incorporate a little physical activity into your daily routine. These exercises can be done safely while seated, and allow you to build and tone muscle, lubricate the joints and increase circulation.
  • Balance exercises. Maintaining balance and stability are key to preventing senior falls. If you’re struggling with issues like arthritis, low or high blood pressure, heart disease or medication side effects, balance exercises allow you to remain steadier on your feet.
  • Stretching exercises. Staying limber and flexible as you age is important to remaining as independent as possible. Being flexible means you have a better range of motion, allowing you to easily complete daily tasks like unloading the dishwasher or bending down to pick up something off the floor. Stretching exercises keep you flexible and improve your overall athleticism!
  • Strength and endurance training. Strength training helps provide relief from chronic pain, and even just a small change in your muscle mass makes a noticeable difference in your strength. You’ll have more endurance to do things like go on long walks, go up and down a flight of stairs, or even simply get in and out of a car.
  • The main benefit of swimming or water exercises for seniors is that it presents little risk of injury and is low impact, so it’s gentle on sore or aching joints. It’s a complete body workout that helps improve heart health, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, and improves your muscle strength and flexibility.
  • Core exercises. Every move you make uses your core muscles, and without a strong core, you’re more at risk for injuries from a fall due to poor balance and mobility. Core exercises for seniors help prevent those injuries, improve body strength and mobility, and also make it easier to complete daily tasks.

Many of these senior workouts can be done right from the comfort of your home, or you can also consider joining a senior fitness program like American Senior Communities’ New Energy Wellness. This unique program is designed specifically for seniors and helps build balance, vigor and endurance through customized workout regimens.

For more information about New Energy Wellness at American Senior Communities, please visit www.ASCSeniorCare.com/service/new-energy-wellness/.

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Disclaimer: The statements on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The author does not in any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any message and will not be held responsible for the content of any message. Always consult your personal physician for specific medical advice.

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