Busy > Learn The Current Top Trends For Senior Fitness & Health
23rd Jul 2022
How Can Seniors Stay Fit & Active at Home
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Learn The Current Top Trends For Senior Fitness & Health

The older one gets, the more one should focus on their health. Performing physical activity regularly is one of the essential things one can do for their health, especially as a senior. Regular workouts can delay or even prevent age-related health problems. Furthermore, fitness workouts can help the muscles grow more robust to continue day-to-day activities without being dependent on others.

It is vital to remember that performing some physical fitness activities is always better than doing none at all. Likewise, the health benefits of being fit also increase with the number of exercises one does.

 

What Does Fitness Mean for Seniors?

Being physically fit is essential to everyone’s everyday health, including that of seniors. Studies have shown that seniors must try to be physically active to lead a longer and healthier life.  There are various advantages of health and fitness for seniors, such as improvement of strength and balance, which helps one stay independent and prevent falls. Physical activities can provide more stamina and energy and delay diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, or osteoporosis. Furthermore, it can improve cognitive functions and prevents anxiety and depression.

Performing physical exercises with a fitness coach or a fitness trainer can assist in one’s journey of maintaining a fit body and mind. Seniors could experiment with fitness bands as well.

 

How Does Fitness Affect Lifestyle?

One of the best things one can do for the wellness of their body and mind is to perform physical activities regularly. Being physically fit can improve cognitive functions and brain health. It also helps one manage their weight, eliminate or delay the risk of getting diseases, enhance the strength of bones and muscles and accentuate one to do daily activities more efficiently.

Research has also proven that physical activities can improve mood and quality of sleep, give more energy, boost self-esteem, and reduce the risk of clinical depression, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and stress.

 

How Can I Get Fit at Home?

One can stay healthy by performing physical training and exercises at home. Seniors aged 65 and above need to complete the following:

  1. Doing workouts for at least 2.5 hours a week. Exercise for 30 minutes a day for around 4 to 5 days a week.
  2. Perform a fitness routine that involves moderate yet intense activity like brisk walking. Or they could do vigorous activities like jogging, hiking, or running for close to 1.5 hours a week.
  3. Perform physical activities that strengthen muscles for at least two days a week.
  4. Involve oneself in activities that improve balance, like standing on one foot.

If one suffers from chronic conditions affecting one’s ability to meet the suggested recommendations, try being as physically active as possible based on one’s physical capabilities and conditions. Senior citizens must move more and sit less during the day. Seniors who sit less and do any average-energetic intense physical activity would have more health benefits.

 

What are 4 Types of Trending Exercises for Seniors?

There are about four exercise types that seniors can perform, and it is essential to include all four types of activities in one’s fitness routine.

 

1. Cardio for Endurance

This is to increase heart rate and one’s breathing. It improves overall health and helps organs such as the heart, lungs, and circulatory systems. It also builds energy.

Some of the exercises that build endurance are:

    • Biking
    • Dancing
    • Walking
    • Swimming
    • Jogging
    • Tennis
    • Climbing the stairs
    • Hiking
    • Basketball

 

2. Strength Training

This makes one’s muscles more robust. Some of the exercises that aid in strength training are:

  • Usage of fitness band or resistance band
  • Weight lifting
  • Performing body-weight exercises such as sit-ups and push-ups

 

3. Improvement of balance

Learning how to balance your body is as vital as exercising as it prevents falls.

Exercises that help in this include:

  • Doing yoga or tai chi
  • Tying to walk hell-to-toe
  • Attempting to stand on one foot for a longer duration.

 

4. Flexibility

Flexibility helps stretch one’s muscles and allows one to move more quickly. Exercises that help with this are:

  • Yoga
  • Stretching

If you are looking for a one-stop solution to enhance your senior health, look no further! The Emoha app helps seniors improve their health and safety, all in the comfort of their own homes. The app gives you access to various live-interactive shows ranging from daily fitness classes to healthy cooking shows. Additionally, you can avail of facilities like 24/7 emergency support (medical & non-medical), daily convenience help desk, daily care calls, medicine reminders, health counselling, one-tap access to all medical documents, special discounts on medicines, and much more. Download the app on Google Play Store and IOS App Store.

 

Conclusion

Adults above the age of 65 must exercise. Patients who are suffering from chronic illnesses could exercise safely. Many conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and heart diseases, can be improved with exercise. Fitness positively impacts one’s body and mind, fights off numerous illnesses, and builds a stronger immune system. Fitness improves bodily functions in addition to cognitive functions.

 

FAQ

How often should you exercise?

Seniors must try to work out for about 2.5 hours a week, including basic exercises such as walking and some intense exercises. One must do fitness workouts for at least 30 minutes, 4 to 5 days a week, and strength training two days a week. One can perform exercises related to balance and flexibility every day.

 

What are some of the exercises that seniors can do?

Incorporating physical activities into one’s daily routine helps maintain a healthy body and mind. Some examples of physical activities include walking your pets, walking or cycling to places instead of driving, climbing more stairs, and working in the yard.

 

Should you warm up or cool down before or after exercise?

It would be beneficial to warm up 5 minutes before exercises. Some warm-up exercises are strolling and stretching; one should cool down by doing a bit of stretching after exercising for about 5 minutes.

 

What is the best time to exercise?

It is best to exercise when your body temperature is at its peak. This means one can exercise when one’s body is more ready and has the potential to make use of the energy. Between 2 pm and 6 pm is the best exercise time.