elderly exercise

Having officially hit senior status recently (ok, a little longer than recently ;) ) exercise and its benefits as the years go by have become a rapidly vital interest.

As we age there are some physical changes taking place that, barring cosmetic surgery, we don’t have control over. Our skin becomes thinner and less elastic, wrinkles appear in great numbers and our hair turns wonderful shades of gray! The good news though is that we can control to a greater degree, the aging of our physical aspects such as posture and weight.

It’s fabulous when people become armed with the knowledge that with exercise, life can be made a lot easier through improvements in strength, balance, coordination, and mobility - no matter what age!

Before moving here recently my eldest client was heading into the gym each day full of enthusiasm, incredibly vibrant at the young age of 82! But I have worked with many in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, training with regular fitness routines - all fully aware of the benefits of remaining active and strong. We can be young, or we can be old - age is only a number. It’s inactivity, not aging that can cause a lot of our health problems as time creeps by.

Research has proven that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for the elderly. Inactivity often causes seniors to lose the ability to be independent and can lead to more frequent doctor and hospital visits and use of medicines for illnesses.

• By building strength and stamina, exercise prevents loss of bone mass and improves balance.

• Exercise and strength training helps you look and feel younger and stay active longer. The more you exercise, the more you will reap the benefits, so it’s important to stay motivated, particularly when life’s challenges get in the way.

• Regular physical activity can help boost your energy, certainly beneficial when hanging out with the grandkids!

• It helps maintain your independence and lowers your risk of a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure, and obesity.

• And not only is exercise good for your body - it’s also good for your mind, mood, and memory. And a fabulous way to remain social and interact with others.

So what exercise can be undertaken? A broad question that of course has very individual answers, so always seek advice from your doctor if necessary.

• Cardio helps lessen fatigue and shortness of breath. Walking, cycling, rowing, dancing all promote independence by improving endurance for daily activities such as shopping, house cleaning and gardening.

• Strength training builds up muscle with repetitive motion using external resistance from weights, body weight, machines or bands. Weight training helps by preventing loss of bone mass, builds muscle, and improves balance - important for staying active and preventing risk of falling. Building up strength will help seniors stay independent and make day to day activities easier - from getting in and out of a car and lifting objects, to even the simpler things like opening a jar.

• Flexibility challenges the joint’s ability to move freely through a full range of motion. Stretching helps the body to stay limber and increases range of movement for ordinary physical activities such as tying your shoes, looking behind you while driving, - even shampooing your hair.

Any exercises that improve balance and posture are of extreme importance to reduce the risk of falling.

The truth is, no matter what age you are, you can’t afford to not get moving - exercise is the key to staying strong, energetic, and healthy - at ANY age! Consider physical activity part of your lifestyle.

Cheers, to many fabulous and active years ahead, for us all, Ann.
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