Exercising is important for people of all ages, however, exercising in your senior years can have additional benefits such as a greater life expectancy, a better general well-being, improved balance, and more. Exercising also aids in the prevention of chronic diseases such as arthritis or diabetes.
The most appropriate types of exercises for those in their golden years are those that are less demanding. Such exercises avoid placing stress and strain on muscles and tendons while remaining effective.
A good option would be low-impact exercises. Here are 5 low impact exercises that you can do in your senior years.
Brisk Walking
Low-impact exercising can be as simple as brisk walking. Even though brisk walking does not provide much strain to your body, it helps to work out your lower body parts such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and also the knee joints.
Additionally, walking helps to train your heart and lungs to work harder to provide the extra oxygen that your muscles need. Walking in the outdoors can also be very relaxing. Being outside also exposes you to sunlight, aiding in the production of vitamin D which assists the body in retaining and absorbing Calcium and Phosphorus.
Yoga
As we age, we lose the ability to maintain balance. Yoga is very beneficial in helping to train your coordination as it helps increase to strengthen the neural networks in the brain that control attention, focus, and alertness. Additionally, it also helps improve your psychological health as it releases serotonin and endorphins, promoting a stress-free lifestyle.
Stationary Indoor Cycling
Indoor cycling has been gaining popularity recently. This low-impact exercise helps to improve cardiovascular and pulmonary health. It is also a great option for those who are looking to burn more calories for weight loss. The best part? Because it is indoors, you do not have to worry if it is raining cats and dogs on the outside.
Tai Chi
Tai Chi is a highly popular exercise amongst seniors as it is a slow-paced and gentle exercise that is easy to follow along. Similar to yoga, it helps to improve your coordination and flexibility.
Tai Chi also helps to decrease the likelihood of developing osteoporosis and osteoarthritis as it is helps to slow down bone loss and bone density. Furthermore, it helps to improve your focus as you can learn to concentrate on your body’s movements.
Aqua Aerobics
Aqua aerobics is a good cardio workout, and it is wonderful for promoting heart health because it slightly raises your respiration and pulse rates. As you push and pull against the water, opposing muscle groups are exercised throughout each movement due to the water’s resistance which tones and train the muscle. To add on, the hydrostatic pressure produced by water might aid in lowering edema and enhancing blood flow within the body.
Because water helps to support the body, aqua aerobics is a low-impact exercise characterized by reduced pressure on your muscles and joints.
