Tag Archive for: Senior Fitness Exercises Routines

Workout Tips – Senior Citizens Should Still Workout

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As you grow older, staying fit and healthy is more important than ever before as a senior citizen. By following an active lifestyle and working out regularly, you will definitely take care of your health and increase stamina. The suggestions listed here will present some handy fitness strategies for a senior.

Growing older doesn’t mean you have to stop working out. In fact tons of senior citizens are becoming more active than ever. They might have to start making small changes in the way they go about exercising.

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Always putting safety first and foremost. Senior citizens should workout and can do all the exercises of younger people. This includes, weightlifting, yoga, running, cardio and aerobics.

Seniors have to exercise and build muscle to prevent bone mass loss. The longer the person puts off working out the more chances of developing osteoporosis and other ailments. To prevent loss of strength the individual should do some form of strength training and incorporate some cardio for stamina. Cardio exercise also keeps the heart healthy. Yoga is also a great exercise for seniors. It helps with balance and flexibility.

Joining a senior class at a local gym is a very good for you. Not only will it help the person to get into shape, but help make new friends to workout with. The more people you can find to exercise the more fun the class is going to be. There are more senior classes opening up than ever before. Enjoy this time and workout hard. You’re body will reward you with increased energy and more stamina.

People have to realize that walking is one of the best exercises you can do. Walking costs nothing but the time and effort that the person puts forth. It’s one exercise that can help almost all seniors. Anyone can do it, and for the most part there is not much stress on the joints. Walking outside, walking on the treadmill, and walking on trails offer you lots of options. Try to walk a minimum of twenty minutes a day, one hour maximum. The more the individual walks, the more likely they are going to see positive results.

Swimming for senior citizens is very helpful for joints and tendons. Low impact swimming also aids in muscle recovery and healing. Senior classes normally offer swimming and most people love the benefits and feeling after a nice swim. The amount or swimming is totally up to the person. I have seen many seniors swimming laps in the pool, so for a good workout maybe start with one or two laps and work up from there.

As we get older it’s even more important to take care of your body. Yes it is true seniors do get some aches and pains from time to time. That should not stop the person from being active. Keep striving everyday to exercise to fight of disease and to feel great.

Workout Routines for Seniors

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Seniors are finally getting involved in the health movement! Move it or lose it! What is the best workout routine for senior citizens? And why should seniors workout? We will explore more on this topic during this article.

Did you know that there are some health insurance companies that will actually pay for your gym membership. When this was implemented several years ago, the insurance companies saved around 1.6 billion dollars in health care in the first two years! Senior citizens were getting into the gym, and getting fit and healthy!

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Of course, if you have read any of my other articles, you know that I am a big advocate of weight lifting. And yes, this goes for you too, seniors. Lifting weights can really help with osteoporosis. If you don’t believe me, ask your doctor. Your doctor will tell you. I have some clients that have come to me because their doctor has told them that they have to get a personal trainer.

My hope for everyone and their health is that they get into the gym BEFORE their doctor tells them that they have to do it. Once you are at a place where your doctor tells you that you HAVE to lose weight, or you have to get a personal trainer, this can mean that your health is at stake. This always makes my heart just drop, because I know for many people, that a lot of their health problems could have been prevented if they had just lead a healthy lifestyle and gotten into the gym.

So, don’t be one of those people. Get in to the gym now. Also, for most seniors, it’s about getting back your mobility, your range of motion, and a bit of strength and energy. Yes, I recommend lifting weights, but, don’t go in and just start throwing weights around. Get yourself at least a month of sessions with a personal trainer. Many injuries can be prevented by just knowing where to place your hands or your feet during certain exercises.

One rule of thumb can be the ninety degree angle rule. Now, this doesn’t apply for every exercise. There are always exceptions to the rule. Basically, you never let your legs or your arms go past a ninety degree angle. For instance, if you are doing an overhead shoulder press, your arms above your head should each form ninety degree angles.

This way, you are keeping the weight in your muscle rather than your joints. But, if this isn’t making any sense to you, please take the time to seek out a personal trainer in your area. They can help you with all of your fitness goals and give you a great workout routine for seniors!

8 Exercise and Fitness Tips for Seniors

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People begin an exercise program for different reasons. Taking some time and validating why you want to begin an exercise program will go a long way toward remaining motivated. You don’t have to make your goals a big deal if you don’t want to.

Some people do it just to have fun and stay active, yet others need more regimentation and set strict goals and timelines for accomplishing them. It is totally up to you what your goals are. It is important that whatever your goals may be that you actually accomplish them in the long run.

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Choose a program that is right for you

It is very easy to get caught up in the latest exercise craze because it seems to be drawing a lot of interest and enthusiasm. Frankly though, most people who begin the latest fad in exercise are just as quick to drop it and begin to do something else. A smart approach would be to pursue a line of exercise that fits your interest and can keep you going back workout after workout. Exercise is of course just moving the body and there’s lots of way of doing that. Why not pick a program that you like and stick with it till you are able to accomplish your exercise goals?

Start out easy

One very common mistake many people make when beginning and exercise program is they go all gung ho in the beginning when they are not ready for it. Then they get setback with sore muscles and possible injury for a few weeks and all the motivation they mustered up is gone. They’re right back where they started from in most cases. Take the turtle approach and go at the exercise program with a slow and steady attitude. Set goals you can accomplish in 3-4 months instead of 3-4 weeks. It will go easier on your body and mind if you do. A longer period of time to accomplish you goals will also take some of the pressure off so you can enjoy yourself while getting the exercise you need.

Consider your diet

The old saying, we are what we eat, is has never been so true. People involved with exercise programs and have specific goals to accomplish understand the importance of proper diet. It is unrealistic to think you can put cheap fuel in your car and expect it to operate at top efficiency. Why would we think we can do it to our bodies? Seriously, we can’t. Garbage goes in and garbage will come out. An exercise program requires looking at what constitutes are daily intake of food. A balance of fruits, vegetables, meats and grains will be necessary if we expect our body to cooperate with the added demands exercise will place on the whole system. Our exercise goals will be much easier to attain if we give the body the necessary fuel to perform.

Warm up properly

Starting out right is an important element in finishing right. Taking a few minutes to let the body become accustomed to the exercise you are about to put it through comes with great dividends. A body with warm muscles will perform better, be more flexible and is less prone to injury. Just 5 or 10 minutes of stretching and moving is all it takes to prepare the body for the demands of your exercise program. You will notice a performance difference when you warm up properly, or if you don’t.

Stay Hydrated

The most common condition for many people day is dehydration. Yes they drink a lot of fluids but unfortunately a lot of those fluids are unable to be utilized properly by the body. Sports drinks, sodas and special bottled waters contain so much sugar, caffeine and chemicals they actually contribute to a further condition of dehydration. Just straight good old fashioned water is the best drink you can feed the body and ample supplies of it as well. It is important to be hydrated before your exercise program, during your exercise program and after the program. Help your body by giving it the water it needs by drinking plenty of water.

Cool down properly

Exercise places stress on the muscles and different kinds of exercise place specific types of stress on them. Tennis places very specific demands on the muscles different from the demands of weight training. During exercise the major muscles used in a particular program are constantly contracting and relaxing. After exercise is over the muscles need an opportunity to relax and resume natural function again. Light stretching and relaxing just after exercise is the best cool down you can give your muscles. When a proper cool down is performed the muscles are triggered to begin the rebuilding process necessary to realize results.

Record and measure your progress

Taking the time and energy to record the progress you are making as a result of your exercise program will increase your motivation to continue. By plotting a beginning bench mark you can measure how you are improving as each week of dedicated time and energy goes into reaching your goals. Recording and measuring your progress will enable you to recognize when you are successful and how far you have to go before you achieve the goals that have been set.

Accomplishment of small goals that lead to the realization of larger goals will continue to provide you with the energy to remain committed and motivated. Take the time necessary to record your progress after each exercise program is completed, you’ll be happy in the long run that you did.

Senior Fitness | Wonderfully Fit

Bodily Changes and Healthy Aging

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From the beginning of our birth, our body endures many changes. As we reach young adolescence, however the body experiences a series of senescence, or bodily changes abnormal, which the bodily functions start to decline. The body makes these changes, which most people will notice, the difference.

The musculo-skeletal system is the first area that most diseases and illnesses start. For this reason once, a person turns 35 years of age regardless of their activities, athletic nature, etc. Still, one can reduce such disease by avoiding injuries to the muscles and joints.

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You can do this by avoiding accidents when possible, abuse, excessive alcohol, drugs, tobacco and so on. You can increase your health by exercising, eating healthy, socializing with positive people, and avoiding environmental toxins.

Visiting your doctor is essential to prevent disease as well. When you visit your doctor, he takes the time to study your physical status based on the family history you gave to him. The doctor will consider family history, including hereditary diseases. Your doctor will take family history into consideration as he studies diagnostics, cures, prevention, and treatment to help you avoid disease.

As noted earlier, our body starts to refuse by age 35, which our sensory organs will also start to take a rain check. At this time, the eyes are affected since they cannot remain focused on objects up close. In medical terms, this condition is known as presbyopia. This is why you see many people in the world over the age 40 wearing glasses, contact lens, bifocals and so on.

Still, you see the younger generation with these same needs, which is a clear sign that aging progression is starting earlier for some. This is a note signaling hereditary makeup, or lifestyle based on environment, etc.

Many people as they grow older lose a degree of hearing. In some instances, people go deaf after 40. This condition is called presbycusis, which is a sign of aging. Since this condition is common for those aging, it is natural to dislike things you once liked. For instance, if you enjoyed concerts when you were younger, and now find that you do not enjoy concerts at all, it is because your hearing has changed, which means that the high-pitch of hearing is affected, which slowly wore down the lower hearing tone.

When hearing is impaired, it often seems like those talking are inarticulate. Since the hearing is tarnished, the person will hear speech differently. For instance, the use of K may sound distorted, which affects comprehension. In other words, a person older may here the CH in a word, such as Chute Up, and think that someone is telling them to shut-up. The CH is distorted. You can help those with hearing difficulties by learning sign and body languages to help them relate to you.

These people can also benefit from hearing aids, or Assistive Listening Devices. The devices act as hearing aids, since it allows a person to block out noise in the background while focusing on the speaker.

We see natural healthy aging in this picture, yet in some instances aging signs are unnatural. For instance, if you incur lung cancer based on your history of smoking, or being around second-hand smoke, then the cause is unnatural.

As a person grows older his or her, weight changes as well and more so for those with family history of obesity. The body fat starts to change up to 30% by the time a person reaches 40. The changes affect the body tremendously, since this is the start of wrinkles and other natural aging signs.