Exercising in your senior years can help you fight off diseases, reverse the effects of aging and improve the overall quality of your life. If joining a gym is not convenient, you can buy equipment to help you achieve your fitness goals at home. In the beginning you may want to start with the basics. Later, you can add more equipment.
Resistance Equipment
Barbells : These consist of a steel bar about 5 to 7 feet long and two shorter bars for dumbbells. They come with cast iron plates that slide onto the outer portion of the bars and they are held in place by collars to keep the weights from sliding off during exercise.
Dumbbells: These are normally called freeweights as they are used free of any bar or machine. Exercising with them helps you build strength and prevent muscle wasting. Buy the weight that is comfortable to start with and increase it as you become stronger.
Resistance bands: These come in a variety of strengths and some even come with padded handles to make them easier to grip. You can tie them to a door and work your upper or lower body. Some resistance bands come with exercise DVDs to instruct you how to use them.
Kettlebells: These are a type of freeweight, except they are unwieldy, which forces you to use more muscles to stabilize them, unlike dumbbells and barbells, which isolate the muscle. Kettlebells can help you build strength and muscle in upper and lower body, which is important in aging.
Cardiovascular Training
Stationary bike: This gives you a good cardio workout without putting stress on your joints. You will burn calories, tone your muscles and improve your health. You can also vary the intensity to suit your fitness level.
Elliptical machine: This is another low-impact stationary machine that gives you a good cardiovascular workout. You can increase the incline for more calorie burn and faster muscle-building power in your legs.
Swimming pool: Maybe you have never thought of your swimming pool as a fitness equipment, but it can be. Swimming by itself is an excellent cardio workout, but you can use your pool to do aquatic exercises such as power walking. The buoyancy of the water forces you to work your muscles without putting stress on your joints. If you suffer from arthritis or any joint problems, this may be your best option. When you combine swimming with freeweights, you can burn more calories.
A Word Of Caution
By using exercise equipment, you can increase your strength, muscle mass and overall fitness and you can fight off diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis and osteopenia. However, be sure to consult your physician before embarking on any exercise program.
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