Senior citizens today are more health conscious than ever before. This may be why people are living longer than in previous generations. Many senior citizens' groups are encouraging seniors to get out and exercise for fitness. Overall, the guidelines for seniors are the same as for younger adults, with a few differences, according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Following a few tips for incorporating exercise into your daily routine will improve fitness and help prevent injury.
Consult a Doctor First
Before starting any exercise program, consult a doctor or health care professional to make sure physical activity will not affect any pre-existing condition.
See a Personal Trainer
Consult a personal trainer or health care professional to assess your fitness level and to design a program that fits your needs and abilities. It is always better to start slow and work up to a more rigorous program; a personal trainer can keep you challenged while preventing injury.
Start Slowly
Walking can be the start of a fitness program. This low-intensity exercise will increase physical fitness and, as a weight-bearing exercise, will help maintain bone density, according to the ACSM. Short walks between 10 and 15 minutes long, twice a day, fulfill the American Heart Association's guidelines for 30 minutes of aerobic activity daily.
Get Proper Shoes
The feet carry a heavy load and need support. Be sure to purchase the proper shoes for the type of exercise you will be doing. Running shoes are different from tennis shoes. Getting the proper fit will make exercise more enjoyable, also. Purchasing shoes from a sports store is a smart idea. Many of the clerks are involved in fitness activities and are familiar with the different needs for the many types of exercise and sports activities.
Work Out With Friends
Work out with a friend. Exercise is more fun with a buddy to talk with while exercising. Friends help motivate you; they push you to reach your goals and praise you when you succeed. Having an obligation to meet someone will make it hard to miss the walk or workout. If friends are not available to work out with, seek out a walking group or other exercise group in your community.
Stretch
Be sure to stretch for 10 to 15 minutes each day. Flexibility is just as important as aerobic activity. The ACSM recommends repeating each stretching exercise three to four times with 10- to 30-second holds for each exercise. Flexibility is important for joint mobility. Yoga is a low-impact exercise that provides stretching, toning and relaxation. More and more seniors are practicing yoga for overall flexibility and range-of-motion control.
Member Comments
sloetman December 28
A fun activity seniors can do with friends is Middleball! It involves a beach ball and a net in a Racquetball court!
Learn more at http://www.Middleball.com