When we speak of fitness for seniors, it need not be too rigorous, harsh and overly demanding for the body. Even experts will agree that a youth’s exercise is far different from an older man or woman. Actually, exercises differ from one person to another depending on their health level, endurance and resistance but it can certainly be improved overtime. That is exactly why there are fitness instructors who specialize in geriatric fitness; these people are highly trained to assist seniors who want—or need—to improve their physical health while nursing medical concerns.
It was said that seniors are now living better, longer lives than those preceding them and the quality of life they are enjoying right now has improved tremendously. Although aging and dying are two inevitable occurrences in our lives, medical concerns that are usually brought about by aging are delayed, if not prevented all together. Partly, we have preventive health care measures to thank for that; these preventive measures are now highly encouraged by health care providers to seniors worldwide and it seems to be helping a great deal on seniors’ survival rates on common age-related illnesses.
Of course, staying physically fit completes this picture. Together, preventive care and fitness will keep all seniors alive and happy. However, these are the same two things that are the hardest to maintain and keep up with. According to a survey conducted to people ages 60 and above who experience medical maladies—left and right, these people have never had proper exercise nor submitted themselves to screenings and vaccinations in the past while those who are conscious of their health feel and look youthful than their aging contemporaries. Curiously enough, when asked why these seniors never even tried adjusting their lifestyle, the resounding answers are: lack of time and motivation—as if keeping themselves healthy and beautiful are not reason enough to alter their lifestyles even for a little bit!
If you’re quite concerned about your safety when engaging in exercises, these are some tips to help you get by:
· First and foremost, consult your doctor before doing any kind of exercise no matter how mild it seems. Different health concerns require different sets of exercise a body could do.
· Don’t jump in too soon especially if you’ve never been into sports ever in your life. When starting out, you will need to do it slow and give yourself sometime to adjust. Don’t force yourself to match those people who put too much of themselves into a particular sport, they might be doing it for some time now and their bodies are well adjusted to its demands.
· Join exercises, activities, classes etc that you will actually enjoy. This way, you’ll have better chances of sticking with the program rather than not going through it anymore.
· Exercise is something that will require you to set time for it. Some people find it easier to exercise in mornings while some are better after work; if you already know what works for you, set your exercise schedule accordingly.
· You should find comfort in everything you do. If you’ve decided to join classes in studios and gyms, the facility as well as the staff should make you feel comfortable and at-ease. If not, you move on to the next.
