Senior Sunrise

While young people may workout and diet for superficial reasons, most seniors recognize that these are key components to maintaining their quality of life. Many people think of heavy weightlifting and strenuous cardiovascular activity when it comes to exercise routines, but this isn’t the only route. For seniors especially, light to moderate exercise is sufficient to maintain proper health.

The key to effective senior citizen exercises is to utilize movements that target multiple muscle groups. Doing this allows you to spend less time in the gym while still getting results. Some of the best exercises that workout several muscles simultaneously are: squats, lunges, bench press and lat pulls.

Just because older adults may be frail or tire easily doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do regular exercise. Studies shoe that people who adhere to a program of physical activity show greater improvement in physical functioning than those who are sedentary. To be safe, seniors should ask their doctors about what kinds of exercise will benefit them and what kinds they should avoid based on their conditions. Anyone who is not active already should begin any exercise program slowly.

Be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing and well-fitting shoes while exercising. Shoes should have good arch support and a cushioned heel to absorb shock. Start with exercises that you are already comfortable doing, and don’t overdo it. The saying “no pain, no gain” does not apply to exercise for the elderly – starting slowly will lower your chances of becoming injured. Walking is a great activity to start with, and you can increase the intensity as you become used to exercising. Swimming is also a good low-impact activity. Combine this aerobic activity with resistance or strength training with one to five-pound weights a few times a week for maximum benefits.