Aerobic exercise for seniors is the ideal way to improve your balance, stability, and general fitness. These low-impact exercises include most forms of cardio and several forms of meditation.
Do you get enough exercise every week? According to the CDC, a senior should have at least 150 minutes of exercise during an average week. Getting two and a half hours doesn't sound difficult, but it can prove challenging for those who are retired.
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Are you curious about staying active in aging bodies? Read on for a quick overview of fitness routines for older adults.
There's a good chance you've heard the term "aerobics," but what does it relate to?
Aerobic exercise is a style of exercise that focuses on rhythmic and continuous movements. The Cleveland Clinic focuses on how these exercises use your large muscle groups in repetitive motions.
In short, it's a style of exercise that contrasts with styles like weightlifting and general strength training. While these styles focus on high-impact activities, aerobic exercises focus on low-impact workouts.
As you continue to research exercise, you'll see people refer to the "impact" of a workout. Don't worry: low-impact workouts aren't less effective. Rather, this term focuses on the impact of an exercise on your body.
High-impact or heavy-impact exercises put more strain on your joints, bones, and muscles. Low-impact exercises are better for avoiding strain on your body. They're often lighter and "easier" than more intense workouts.
Some common aerobic exercises include:
In summary, aerobic exercises are perfect for wellness in assisted living. Aerobic exercise for seniors is low-intensity, safe, and healthy.
What are some common exercise routines seniors use, and how will these help with senior energy levels? It's crucial to understand your body and the variety of workouts you can use.
An important note is to focus on how these exercises help with socialization. Studies from Michigan Medicine show that roughly 1 in every 3 seniors aged 50 to 80 feels isolated or lonely.
The good news is that aerobic exercises are perfect in groups. Many exercise classes will focus on aerobics of some form, as they're relaxing, easy, and generally somewhat social.
If you're curious about exercising in a group, check your local activity calendar! Our calendar has all of our upcoming events, so you never miss your next memory.
Here are some of the most common workouts for seniors.
Strength training is ideal for improving your body's general fitness, stability, and strength. However, strength training can sometimes pose a safety issue.
Because of this, you should pick your exercises carefully and consider what limitations you may have. While you'll find many complex exercises, there are plenty that aren't challenging at all.
A great choice is the resistance band. Resistance bands are effectively enormous elastic bands that have varying levels of resistance. These are similar to lifting weights, but without the risk of dropping something heavy on your foot!
Swimming is a classic exercise for aerobics and staying active in aging. Swimming is also often chosen for physical therapy or beginner fitness.
That's because swimming is a great choice to alleviate pressure or wear on your joints and muscles. As you float, you're effectively weightless, easing much pain.
You may choose to tread water, or you may be more active with swimming laps. Remember never to swim alone in case of emergencies!
Tai Chi is a style of meditative exercise that focuses less on intensity and more on movement. These movements work to build your balance and flexibility, which is ideal for helping to reduce your chance of an injury or fall.
Tai Chi is also popular when considering heart health for seniors. Since it's generally relaxing and low intensity, you won't have to worry about extra strain on your heart.
Tai Chi is sometimes challenging for people with issues with movement. Consider which motions fit your needs and customize!
When considering aerobic exercise for seniors, there's always more to understand. Read on for a quick look at some of the most common questions.
We don't recommend exercising alone for several reasons. For one, if you're making mistakes, no one can catch them! And, most importantly, it means no one can help if something goes wrong.
Still, most aerobic exercises are simple and easy programs, making them well-suited to solo exercise.
Tai Chi and Yoga are extremely customizable aerobic exercises. You can find some positions and movements that fit all skill levels, especially in a class setting.
If you're looking for something more "active," then we recommend sticking to simple and stationary workouts. Walking or briskly jogging on a treadmill isn't something you'll likely need much help with! You may also enjoy using a stationary bike for cardio.
Some aerobic exercises are focused on building muscle. However, aerobics isn't a "body-building" style of exercise, so you shouldn't expect to get buff.You'll look after your general fitness and health instead.
Aerobic exercise for seniors is the ideal way to find safe fitness routines for older adults. There are exercises for all senior energy levels, making it easy to handle staying active in aging bodies. Consider which exercises are best for your limitations, skill sets, and needs.
At TerraBella Thornblade, we provide all-around exceptional memory and assisted living care. Our apartments feature comfort and care features such as:
Contact us to see how we can help your golden years shine!