When you are over 60, keeping up with regular exercise is vital to help maintain your health and independence. It can ensure that you have the energy and flexibility to do the things you love, like playing with the grandkids.
Regular exercise can do far more than just help you to maintain your active lifestyle. It can also reduce the risk of other serious health conditions such as:
- Heath disease
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis
It can also help improve your mood and mental health. Exercise is a great way for your body to create the feel good hormone.
With all of these amazing benefits, it can be hard to understand why the gyms aren’t packed every day. But as the old saying goes, ‘the first step is always the hardest’. Whether it’s a healthy diet or starting a fitness plan, it can be a little daunting to kick off.
With that in mind, we’ve come together to share top tips on how to get started and keep yourself motivated.
Where to Start:
While it’s important to stay active and mobile, the gym isn’t the only place you can get exercise. Why not try something that interests you, such as:
- Walking club: It’s a low impact exercise that won’t but extra strain on your muscles and joints.
- Swimming classes: Is a non-weight bearing activity and works on all of your major muscle groups.
- Cycling around beautiful areas: A great opportunity for destination exercise and highly beneficial. The benefits include strengthening your muscles and helping you to maintain strength and balance.
How You Can Get Started:
The last week or so, we have had some serious heat so the thoughts of getting out there for exercise can be daunting. Good news though, we are to get back to our unpredictable weather next week so Monday seems like a great day to start. Without further ado, here are a number of top tips to help you get started:
Weight Based Training
Weight based training can help you maintain muscle mass and promote your flexibility. This could be a great place to start. By picking up a moderate weight base training program it will help you get stronger, improve balance and avoid osteoporosis.
New to Exercise
If you are new to exercise, we would recommend talking to a professional. Whether this be a gym instructor, yogi or even a physical therapist. They will be able to guide you towards the best activities that won’t be painful or put you under undue stress.
Pre-Existing Conditions & Injuries
If you have any pre-existing conditions and injuries, make sure to tell your fitness professional. Anytime of movement is great over 60. You won’t hurt yourself by moving. If the gym or yoga isn’t for you, try working on your mobility by chancing a walk on an uneven surface. But only if you are sure.
Keeping Motivated:
It can take a few weeks to see or feel a difference when it comes to exercise. This can be hard, especially when you need to keep your motivation levels up. Especially on those days where you just feel like sitting in front of the TV with a cuppa and some biscuits.
When it comes to keeping yourself motived, we believe working out together is the key. Find an activity that you and your partner, family or friend will enjoy together and you will find that you like going with them and you will motivate each other.
Grab a buddy and get moving because exercise is much easier and more fun when you have a friend.
For great adult exercise classes around the country, click here
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