Easy Exercises For The Elderly To Keep Them Fit

Many people believe that exercise is for the young. But have you seen Arnold Schwarzenegger? He just turned 71 and is still going strong. No matter your age, it’s never too late to get started. Statistics show that at least 70% of the elderly spend an average of 10 hours a day sitting or lying down. As a result, they tend to slow down and become sedentary with age. Working out even for 10 minutes a day can improve balance, agility, and mental health. This can include walking and stretching a little bit of time every day to improve strength, flexibility, and balance. 

As we age, our muscle mass starts decreasing. Muscle mass gives our body balance and bone strength and without it, your body will compromise your mobility. Aging is associated with a number of concerns including loss of agility, balance, and endurance. Being lethargic as you grow old for long hours can give you pains and aches that you’ve never had before. In fact, you may even start struggling with everyday things and errands.

Exercising daily for 10 min will not only improve your physical strength but your mental health too. It helps in increasing brain neurons and improve your memory as well. Seniors should focus on three things in their workout routine – Strength, Stretching, and Balancing. So let’s look at some exercises for the elderly that’ll focus on these aspects to keep them fit and fine. 

Yoga:

Loss of agility, balance, endurance, and strength, are just a few concerns associated with aging. You are prone to joint injuries as well. So some gentle yoga or water yoga into your daily routine might help you gain confidence with balancing. This will reduce the risk of falling by improving posture and quality of your walk. 

Cardio:

Cardio workouts can get your heart pumping fast and may even leave you breathless at times. This can include walking and simple stretching. This can improve your endurance for daily activities, lessen fatigue and shortness of breath. 

Stretching:

Getting into the habit of stretching daily can improve your flexibility and range of motion. A few simple neck stretches, pelvic tilts, toe taps, heel raises, and ankle rotations can help you in a lot of ways. 

Weight training:

Weight training is nothing but strength training done weight machines, free weights, or elastic bands. Doing this repeatedly can improve your muscle quality and strength. Using light weights can improve your muscle strength over a period of time, it all depends on the frequency of your workout.

Walking:

Probably the most simple yet the most effective workout that you can do is walk. Go for a walk in the evening, meet your friends. It’ll not only improve your physical health but your mental and emotional health too. 

A few tips for safety

• Yes, aging comes with a lot of pain and lousiness. So if you are going to push your body to be fit, better do it safely. Never work out alone, always have someone with you when you are planning to do a heavy workout.

• Start slow and build up steadily. Listen to your body and don’t push it to the extreme. A workout is supposed to make you fit and healthy, not hurt and lousy. So if you feel dizzy or short of breath at any time, call someone for help. 

At Primus Reflection, we have created a luxurious residential community for senior living. Every resident at Primus Reflection is a senior and it is a one of a kind luxury retirement home where everything is dedicated to organized senior care and well-being of seniors. We have changed the concept of retirement home senior citizens where they can live in a relaxing, comfortable, and healthy ecosystem with a community filled with people their own age. So live, laugh, and lighten up and spend the second innings of your life at Reflection. 

Stay active, stay involved, stay healthy.