We all know that exercise is so important to our health and well-being, but did you know it’s even more crucial for people over 65 to make physical activity a regular part of their daily routine. People of all ages, especially older generations, can benefit greatly by being more physically active. Regular exercise can have such a positive effect on adults over 65 and can help:
● Improve strength
● Prevent bone loss
● Improve balance and coordination (which helps to reduce the risk of injury from falls, which is a common worry as we age)
● Assist in regaining independence and improving mood
● Boosting Memory performance
● Preventing and improving many health conditions including diabetes, some cancers, heart disease, dementia and help you live longer
● Reduce pain and improve sleep
How often should we exercise?
Experts suggest adults aged 65 and over should partake in 20-30 minutes of moderate physical activity a day but an individual’s age and health should be taken into consideration when creating a daily exercise regime, we do need you to be safe. Prior to commencing an exercise regime, it is important that you have a health clearance and once you start to build up gradually.
Not all exercise needs to be completed in one go – you can break up your routine by doing 10 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes in the afternoon. This is a great way to ease back into exercise, if you are new to it, or returning to physical activity after a long break.
Remember any form of exercise whether it be moderate, or light is better for your health and well-being than none at all.
Exercise activities for older people
There are many types of ways and places you can move your body it just comes down to what is appropriate for your body and what makes you comfortable. Here’s a list of fun activities which can help you get that heart pumping, strengthen those muscles, improve your flexibility and start feeling great.
● Walking
● Swimming and aqua aerobics
● Dancing or aerobics-type classes
● Muscle strengthening activities
● Bike riding
● Flexibility exercises
● Yoga
● Tai chi
● Informal exercise/ activities such as gardening and housework
It is also important to understand that your fitness program may need to change as you grow older, depending on any health conditions. Some activities may no longer be as safe for your body, as they once were.
You might need to switch to low-impact, or lower-intensity or a modified exercise program.
