5 Best Senior Exercise Options

Best Senior Exercise – These 5 Options Are Friendly All the Way Around:

1. Walking:

Walking is the exercise perhaps most associated with senior exercise. After all many of us see seniors making an effort to keep walking on their own or with a caregiver. As an accessible and low-impact exercise, walking promotes cardiovascular health and can be adapted to various fitness levels.

Many of us truly understand that the person who keeps walking will have a higher quality of life. Additionally, walking can be social either because we’re walking with someone or saying ‘hi’ to others in the neighborhood. And sunshine is good for Vitamin D and looking at trees and greenery is calming and lessens anxiety.

2. Water Aerobics:

Water provides resistance without impact, making water aerobics an excellent choice for joint-friendly exercise. Many senior adults develop arthritis in the joints, making exercise more difficult and less enjoyable! Furthermore, water offers a great deal of resistance so one gets more strenuous exercise in less time. If you have a YMCA or public pool near you with water aerobics classes, sign up!

3. Strength Training

Use light weights or resistance bands to strengthen muscles. Focus on major muscle groups while maintaining proper form.

Based on my own recent experience adding strength training with light weights to my exercise routine, I encourage everyone to test out weight training. As we get older we lose a lot of strength, its simply a fact. Though many of us keep exercising — walking, hiking, dancing, swimming, yoga, biking, and kayaking — those are aerobic exercises that don’t do much to build strength.

Without strength training and light weights you will keep losing strength. But with some strength training in the mix, you get to keep more strength, as well as gain strength, energy and stamina. To be clear I’m not talking about weight-lifting with barbells. That’s not needed. Instead, start with 2 – 5 lb. weights.  You can use light weights at home with a video or join a gym or a YMCA that offers strength training.

Finally, to the women reading this, don’t hesitate to try it yourself. More men do strength training as its been more common for men to workout in gyms, but women reap the same benefits from strength training as men.

4. Yoga:

Yoga promotes flexibility, balance, and relaxation. Definitely, choose yoga classes or routines tailored for seniors, to ensure you get the benefits of yoga and stay injury free. Most of us spend years working, often sitting at a desk or doing heavy labor. Our bodies get tight, knotted, and tired. Yoga is a great way to counteract the stress and tension from sitting or physical labor. It relaxes muscles throughout the body, loosens our joints, and makes us feel happier and more alive.

5. Tai Chi:

This ancient Chinese martial art combines gentle movements and deep breathing, improving balance, flexibility, and mental focus. Tai Chi and Yoga have many similarities and benefits. Both yoga and Tai Chi are accessible to most people as you can do them at home or outdoors and equipment isn’t required. Yoga focuses on static poses. However, Tai Chi focuses on continuous and flowing poses. It’s hard to say if one is better than the other.

A few more notes: Both yoga and Tai Chi will boost your immune system, reduce back and joint pain, improve sleep, lower blood pressure, and enhance balance and flexibility.

Best Senior Exercise is Key to Maintaining Mobility:

1. Stretching Exercises:

Incorporate daily stretching routines to maintain flexibility and prevent muscle stiffness.

2. Mobility Aids:

Consider using canes, walkers, or other mobility aids if needed. Consult with a healthcare professional for guidance.

3. Adaptive Equipment:

Explore adaptive equipment and assistive devices designed to enhance mobility and make daily activities more manageable.

4. Regular Check-ups:

Schedule regular check-ups with healthcare professionals to address any emerging mobility issues and receive personalized advice.

Senior Exercise and Mobility are Threads that Weave Together

In the tapestry of aging, exercise and mobility are threads that weave together a vibrant and fulfilling life. Embrace the senior years with a commitment to staying active, mobile, and engaged in activities that bring joy and vitality. Whether it’s a leisurely walk, a gentle yoga session, or strength training in the living room, the journey toward healthy aging begins with a single step—one that keeps you moving and thriving in the years ahead.

Beacon Home Care offers compassionate one-on-one, non-medical care and quality companionship to seniors and other people with special needs, regardless of age. We offer a broad range of home care services to support the mind, body, and spirit of our clients. Our mission is to provide peace of mind by assisting those who are getting older, chronically ill, recovering from surgery, disabled, or have special needs.

Because we are locally owned, our caregivers understand and respect the diverse cultures that makes Northern California and the Bay Area unique.