| seniors find once they reach retirement age that | | | | benefit from a senior exercise video. These |
| they finally have the time—and, if they | | | | videos range in difficulty from the very easiest |
| planned well, the money—to do the things | | | | exercises to some that are quite strenuous. You |
| they've always wanted to do, whether that be | | | | should have no problems finding one to suit your |
| travel around the world or take pottery classes | | | | needs. There's rarely any "one size fits all" solution |
| at the local community college. Unfortunately, | | | | for elderly exercise; seniors, like every other age |
| while their minds may still be sharp as a tack, | | | | group, have a wide range of physical ability. |
| their bodies are just starting to let them down in | | | | Seniors should never overlook the most basic of |
| a multitude of little ways; aches, pains, arthritis, | | | | activities; walking is a gentle, repetetive exercise |
| etc. These physical limitations will only get worse | | | | that helps keep you fit and healthy. If you're able, |
| with time. That's the bad news. | | | | consider climbing stairs several times a day. The |
| The good news is, senior exercise can prevent | | | | longer you climb stairs, the longer you'll be able to |
| many little health problems that would otherwise | | | | climb stairs. Senior exercise equipment may also |
| be an annoyance at best, and possibly even | | | | be a good choice for you. It's typically more |
| life-threatening at worst. From the time a person | | | | gentle on joints and bones than other forms of |
| is over 50, exercise should play a guiding role in | | | | exercise equipment. Or, try a senior exercise |
| arranging their schedule. Fifty is no longer "old | | | | chair, if other forms of senior exercise equipment |
| age;" why let your body think it is? | | | | seem too strenuous. |
| If you are looking towards retirement, or perhaps | | | | Exercise for women over 50 should take into |
| already retired, you should look into finding senior | | | | account the softening of their bones. Even if you |
| exercise programs that match your level of | | | | don't suffer from osteoarthritis or osteoporosis, |
| fitness and challenge you to do a little more than | | | | there's still a good chance that your bones are |
| before. As with 20- and 30-year-olds, there's a | | | | losing density. Your exercise program must realize |
| fine line to walk between challenging your body | | | | that, and make protecting your bones a primary |
| and damaging your body. This is where a senior | | | | focus. |
| exercise program or a personal trainer can come | | | | Whether you're just walking around the block or |
| in handy. If you live in a large city, chances are | | | | you're actively engaged in an intense senior |
| good that your local community center will have | | | | exercise program at your local community center, |
| But suppose it doesn't? Alternately, suppose their | | | | you cannot afford to overlook the importance of |
| "senior exercise" programs are geared towards | | | | exercise. Studies have shown that elderly |
| people who are less physically fit than you are, or | | | | exercise can help prevent a multitude of health |
| more fit? If you find yourself in a situation where | | | | problems. |
| the exercises are too challenging, you should | | | | Half an hour to an hour of gentle senior exercise |
| explain the situation to the instructor and see if s | | | | seven days a week, for example, may help |
| he offers gentle or "beginners" programs, or if s | | | | prevent heart attacks and strokes. It can also |
| he can recommend someone who does. Know | | | | help prevent or even cure depression, especially |
| your body's limits. Exercise that's a little more | | | | (but not only) if you can find a good senior fitness |
| strenuous than you're accustomed to prevents | | | | program to join. Exercise helps keep blood sugar |
| health problems; exercise that's much more | | | | stable, and can often help prevent diabetes, or |
| strenuous can cause them. You don't want to | | | | keep your diabetes under control if you already |
| damage your body trying to keep it healthy! | | | | have it. And these are only a small sampling of |
| On the other hand, it may be that the exercise | | | | the health problems that senior exercise can help |
| program isn't strenuous enough. If that's the case, | | | | treat or prevent! The list could go on for several |
| you might consider quitting, unless you enjoy the | | | | pages. |
| chance to be around other seniors. There is | | | | The simple fact of the matter is that for people |
| something to be said for the health benefits of | | | | over 50, exercise is even more important than |
| sharing activities with other people. | | | | for younger people. Using your joints and muscles |
| In either case, however, if you want to make the | | | | is the best way to keep them useable. Just as an |
| most out of senior exercise—or if your | | | | engine will "freeze up" when it isn't used, your |
| local community center doesn't offer a senior | | | | body needs regular exercise in order to be able to |
| exercise program—then you may find | | | | function properly. In short: keep moving if you |
| yourself on your own. If that's the case, you may | | | | want to be able to keep moving! |