Senior Fitness

It’s never too late to get in shape. As we grow older, leading an active lifestyle is more important than ever. Regular exercise helps seniors maintain health, boost energy, and improve confidence. As the Baby Boomer generation heads into retirement, the questions surrounding senior fitness are seemingly endless. Let’s take a few minutes to dispel some of the common myths surrounding exercise and older adults:

Myth 1: It’s too late. I’m already too old, to start exercising

Fact: It’s never too old to start an exercise program. Countless studies have shown that gains in muscle mass and strength can be attained well into your 80’s! If you have never exercised before, start slowly by adding more physical activity into your daily life. If you are uncomfortable with the thought of wandering around a gym floor, look into group exercise classes geared toward older adults. Most health clubs offer some type of senior fitness class.

Myth 2: There’s no point to exercising. I’m going to get old anyway.

Fact: Exercise, especially strength training, helps you look and feel younger and stay active longer. Regular physical activity lowers your risk for a variety of conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression and obesity. Yes, you will get older, but you won’t feel it!

Myth 3: Older adults shouldn’t exercise. They should rest and save their strength.

Fact: Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for the elderly. Inactivity often causes seniors to lose the ability to do things on their own and can lead to more hospitalizations, doctor visits, and use of medicines for illnesses. Resting, believe it or not, often makes you more tired.

Myth 4: Exercise puts me at risk of getting hurt.

Fact: Exercise enhances mobility, flexibility, and balance in seniors. Exercise improves your strength, flexibility and posture, which in turn will help with balance, coordination, and reducing the risk of falls. Strength training also helps alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis and will help prevent the loss of bone mass making your bones more resistant to breakage.

Just in case these facts aren’t enough to get you moving, exercise also helps seniors maintain or lose weight. As metabolism naturally slows with age, maintaining a healthy weight can be a challenge. Exercise helps increase metabolism by building muscle mass and increasing energy output- two things that help to burn more calories. When

Exercise also reduces the impact of illness and chronic disease. Among the many benefits of exercise for seniors are improved immune function, better heart health and blood pressure and better digestive functioning.

The benefits go far beyond these physical examples. Exercise improves your sleep by helping you fall asleep more quickly and sleep more deeply. A good night’s sleep always makes for a more productive and enjoyable day.

Lastly, exercise is a natural mood and self-confidence booster. Endorphins produced by exercise can actually help you feel better and reduce feelings of sadness or depression. Being active and feeling strong naturally helps you feel more self confident and sure of yourself.