Exercising with dumbbells. Image Credit: Clip Art.
Fitness for adults ranks no. 3 in the Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2012. This just goes to show that seniors and older adults are finally ready to take their health seriously. Here are a few important fitness tips that can help older adults transitioning into a new lifestyle.
- Get a check-up. This is absolutely important for older adults 50 years and up. A physician will assess your current state and make sure the heart and lungs are fit for exercise.
- Focus on being consistent. A common trend among people who start exercising is to double their efforts at the start, only to stop exercising altogether a few weeks after. It would be much better for you to start slow and build your pace up.
- Don’t let the past determine your future. Older adults should not let their inabilities and deficiencies in the past stop them from their fitness goals.
- Stop if there’s pain. The popular saying “no pain, no gain” does not hold true for older adults. If exercising becomes too painful, then stopping is the only choice.
- Look for a personal trainer. Older adults should look for someone who is willing to focus on their needs and is competent. Asking for a referral is a sure way to get one.
- Don’t try to measure up. This isn’t exactly the best time to be competitive against a jogging or gym buddy who’s way ahead of you in terms of fitness and skill. Doing so will only endanger your own health.
- Those who are early-to-rise better warm up. Study shows that those who exercise in the morning tend to have a higher injury rate. To avoid such, older adults should warm-up before exercising in the morning.
- Try a variety of exercises. Older adults can explore a multitude of exercises—from biking to simply taking a quiet walk on the park. The limits are boundless!
- Slowly increase your fitness and confidence skills. Repetition and practice using innovative accessible products such as grab bars can increase mobility and core muscle skills of older adults.