Senior Citizen Exercises
With as little as 30 minutes per day, you can stay fit and feel younger too! A variety of low-impact physical activity can be incorporated into anyone’s daily routine. In this article, Baywoods of Annapolis takes a look at some of the most common and innovative ways seniors can stay fit!
According to the National Institute on Aging, “exercise and physical activity… can help prevent diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions affecting older adults.” Below we’ve listed the four main types of exercise and physical activity that are recommended for seniors. Many of these can be done from the comfort of your own living room! As always, check with your physician before starting any exercise program. Ok, here we go!
- Endurance exercise is aimed at increasing your endurance through low impact activities that make you breathe faster, speed up your heart rate, and burn off calories. These kinds of activities may include brisk walking or jogging, dancing, tennis, and more!
- Strength training is vital to preserving muscle mass, controlling weight, reduces the risk of osteoporosis, and decreases injury risk. You can begin strength training right at home with light weights, resistance bands, or by using your own body weight. Wall push-ups are a great way to use your own body weight effectively.
- Balance exercises and lower-body strength exercises will help you reduce the risk of falls and improve balance. The best thing is that you can usually do them just about anywhere, although using a chair or a wall for support is a good idea for beginners! Try standing on one foot, the heel-to-toe walk, or walking in a straight line to get started.
- Flexibility exercises provide a greater range of motion for your joints and decrease your risk of injury. It also can help increase blood flow and send vital nutrients to your tissues. Yoga is one of the preferred methods for increasing flexibility, and there are a variety of yoga poses that bode well for seniors. Simple stretching exercises can be done almost anywhere and will loosen up stiff joints.
Baywoods of Annapolis is a waterfront retirement community that understands the value of exercise! Our residents can enjoy a fully equipped fitness center, a Fitness and Wellness Coordinator, a croquet court, putting green, and walking trail. If you’d like to learn more about this exciting community, contact Baywoods today to arrange for your personal tour!
