Exercise contributes to your wellbeing at any age — and regular exercise is vital for older adults as it helps to control blood pressure, body weight, and cholesterol levels while also reducing the risk of hardened arteries, heart attack, and stroke. Not only that, but regular exercise strengthens your muscles and bones to help fight osteoporosis and help reduce the risk of falling. It’s stating the obvious that keeping your body strong and limber can help you maintain your independence as you age and maintaining independence allows you to continue to do the activities you’ve enjoyed your entire life.
Tips For Becoming Fitter as an Older Adult
Start Slow
So, if you’re interested in becoming fitter as an older adult and adding exercise to your routine you should start and gradually build up your endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility.
Walk
A great way to begin is to go walking, even for just five or ten minutes at a time several days a week. Once you have built up your walk time to thirty minutes at a time, you’ve built a solid fitness base and you are ready to add new activities to your routine.
Talk to a Medical Professional
It is always best talk to a medical professional before beginning any new exercise routine as they can help you create a workout plan that’s tailored specifically to you.
Aim for 30 Minutes of Exercise a Day
For older adults, a good level of general fitness can be attained in as little as thirty minutes each day and adding exercise to your daily routine will certainly improve the quality of your life. Ideally, your exercise routine should include stretching, aerobic activity, strength training and balance. Make sure to start slowly and build up each aspect of your routine gradually.
Your Physiotherapist can Help you Start a New Routine
At Life Force Physio, your physiotherapist will listen to your personal goals and will develop a program specific to you. Ask us about our customized fitness programs and let us help you achieve your exercise and health goals by tailoring a program to your abilities, your goals and your medical conditions.
LifeLife Force Physio is a local physiotherapy clinic serving Etobicoke and Mississauga (Toronto). Our team of Physiotherapists, Massage Therapists and Kinesiologists is passionate in their level of care, and believes better health is an achievable goal for everyone. We run a Physiotherapist Supervised Gym designed to support your healing, rehabilitation and ongoing fitness safely and at your pace. Located at Burnhamthorpe Rd and The West Mall. Call us at 416 207 9395
