| Regular exercise is an important step in | | | | on the types of exercises that are best suited |
| maintaining health for people of all ages. As you | | | | for your own personal health situation and which |
| age, the body becomes at greater risk for loss of | | | | exercises may not be advised given any known |
| muscle mass, flexibility, and balance. To help | | | | health issues. In addition to talking with your |
| minimize these risks and improve overall quality of | | | | doctor, you may want to consult with a personal |
| life, many seniors are starting to add circuit | | | | trainer specializing in senior exercise. These types |
| training to their lifestyles. This form of exercise is | | | | of trainers can often be found through |
| an excellent way to build and maintain strength | | | | commercial gyms, community centers, and senior |
| and functionality. Exercises, or circuits, can be | | | | centers. They are a great resource for designing |
| custom designed to fit your interests and | | | | an exercise program that best suits you and your |
| schedule, keeping it fun and easy to stay fit and | | | | personal interests. |
| active. | | | | Circuit training programs are very convenient |
| Circuit training involves combining a series of | | | | because they can be performed at home or at a |
| exercises together into a complete workout. Each | | | | local facility with friends. Many people find that |
| exercise is usually completed for a 1-3 minutes | | | | they feel more motivated to exercise regularly |
| before moving on to the next exercise, with a | | | | when they have at least one workout and |
| very short rest in between. The exercises can be | | | | exercise buddy. This type of exercise is also |
| set up at stations, such as at a commercial gym, | | | | perfectly suited for those on a budget, as it can |
| or they can simply be different exercises | | | | be done with a wide range of exercise equipment |
| completed one after the other in the comfort of | | | | or no equipment at all! A water bottle can |
| your own living room. Often, both strength and | | | | substitute as a light, handheld weight in strength |
| cardio exercises are combined to achieve a | | | | training exercises, and marching in place is a great |
| well-rounded workout. This is especially helpful for | | | | example of a cardio exercise. |
| seniors who need to pursue a comprehensive | | | | For seniors, circuit training is a great way to keep |
| health approach. The greater the variety you | | | | the body at peak efficiency. A good training |
| apply to your fitness program, the better | | | | routine gives you a complete workout while |
| improvement in muscle tone, flexibility, and | | | | allowing for rest periods and recovery times. It |
| balance - all which are important for maintaining | | | | calls for just enough impact and weight training to |
| health and guarding your body against the risk of | | | | encourage bone growth and muscle strengthening |
| injury from accidents. | | | | without causing injury or undue strain. It can also |
| If you are new to circuit training, be sure to | | | | be tailored to the individual, putting an emphasis on |
| consult your doctor before beginning any new | | | | maintaining the body's overall condition, while |
| exercise program. Your doctor can provide advice | | | | making it fun to stay fit and active! |