Low Impact Exercises for Seniors
This might feel like an obvious statement, but it’s worth saying: everyone benefits from exercise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage your weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and more. In fact, getting as little as 30 minutes a day of exercise can reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.
Not only can exercise reduce your risk of developing diseases, but it can also help you live longer.
Exercise is an extremely important part of living a healthy lifestyle. For seniors, it can mean the difference between a life-threatening fall and having the strength and mobility to avoid serious injury.
In this article, we’re going to talk about low impact exercises seniors can do to improve mobility, strength, balance, and more.
What is Low Impact Exercise?
Low impact exercise is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. It is any activity that is low impact on your joints. Exercises like swimming, yoga, cycling, elliptical cardio, or rowing are all low-impact exercises.
On the flip side, high-impact exercises, according to the American Sports and Fitness Association, have high impact on the joints and put you at higher risk for injury.
Why Should Seniors Do Low Impact Exercises?
According to the CDC, the number of injuries will increase as the population of older adults grows. Fall death rates have increased 30% over the last 10 years. One way to prevent injury is by participating in low-impact exercises.
Low Impact Exercises to Try
There are a lot of low impact exercises out there. While some require equipment, most can be done in the comfort of your home.
Rowing
Rowing is a full-body workout that targets all muscle groups, making it a great workout for people of all ages and abilities. Some other benefits, according to Women’s Health, are that rowing doesn't exacerbate sore muscles, can improve your posture, and work larger muscles in your lower body.
Aerobic Exercise
Participating in aerobic exercises like walking, swimming, or cycling, can benefit your cardiovascular health. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous aerobic activity.
Strength Training
According to the CDC, strength training can reduce the signs and symptoms of many diseases and chronic conditions. It can reduce pain and stiffness for seniors with arthritis, increase strength and flexibility, and can build bone density and reduce your risk of falling.
Exercise Can Improve Your Quality of Life
No matter how old you are or what your ability level is, there’s an exercise for you. You don’t have to have access to fancy gym equipment to move your body.
For more tips and bodyweight exercises for seniors, check out our article “Bodyweight Exercises for Seniors.”
The Aspenwood Company Can Help Seniors Live Life Well®
As you age, it is important to live in an environment that will provide the level of care you need. At The Aspenwood Company, we know life gets richer and better as you age, and we believe that feeling should never end.
Our communities are the standard of luxurious living for mature adults. You will find our properties in the most sought-after locations, in the middle of culture and activity, where a vibrant lifestyle surrounds you. We’ve spent 25 years fine-tuning every detail of luxurious living so that our residents enjoy a new sense of freedom and fulfillment.
There’s luxury, and then there is Aspenwood luxury.
In order to become a member of an Aspenwood luxury community, mature adults will face some hard, but important decisions. Be assured that our team is trustworthy and compassionate, and ready to serve you. We are here to provide encouragement, support, and helpful information.
You have the opportunity to pursue and experience freedom like never before. It’s time to experience the laughter, the energy, the activity, the friendly faces, and the caring people of The Aspenwood Company. It’s time to Live Life Well®.