8 Changes in Exercise for Seniors Over 70
By Amanda Turner, Contributor
After 30, inactive people can lose 3% to 5% muscle mass per decade, according to WebMD. Exercise for seniors over 70 can help maintain good health and slow down this loss. Seniors can, unfortunately, experience a range of different health issues that can cause them serious problems as they age. For example, a significant amount of seniors struggle with their balance, this can seriously impact their lives. However, by visiting a physical therapy center like LifeMotion, these problems can be overcome. This allows seniors to enjoy new-found freedom. However, if you’re lucky enough to live in an area like Sunnyvale, you could benefit from home visits by a local physical therapist. That could save you some waiting time, whilst also improving any pains or aches that you may be experiencing. Seniors, and other residents, of Sunnyvale can benefit from these sunnyvale physical therapy professionals that aim to make your life pain-free. However, before you get to the stage of needing that sort of therapy, you could consider participating in some exercises. There are many suitable for you as a senior over 70, here are eight workout routine-related adjustments you can consider. Keeping updated with fitness for seniors is much easier if you have access to a phone. The cellphones from Fanmi might be of use in this regard.
1. Exercise regularly
To get the best benefits from exercise, it’s important that you do it regularly. Five days a week is a good starting point for moderate activities and three days for harder workouts.
2. Strength exercises (bodyweight vs. lifting weights)
Start with bodyweight exercises. Once, you’re able to handle your bodyweight, only then consider lifting weights, says trainer Meghan
Work on all the major muscles of the body at least twice a week. Try to complete at least one set (up to 12 reps) of each strength exercise. Besides going to the gym and lifting weights, you can also build strength with yoga and doing the harder digging jobs in your yard.
3. Aerobic activity (moderate)
Choose one or more exercises that require moderate effort on your part. Some options include walking and riding a bike on flat surfaces. If you aren’t big on these activities, consider joining and ballroom or line dancing group or cutting your grass with a lawnmower. Go for a daily limit of at least 30 minutes and a weekly limit of 150 minutes. Divide your daily activity into separate sessions if that works best for you.
4. Aerobic exercises (hard)
If you can handle high-intensity workouts, substitute the 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity for 75 minutes of vigorous activity. There are a few ways you can go about this. Start to jog or run or ride a bike in a hilly area. If you like racket sports, considered playing singles tennis. The more energy-intensive types of dances are another option.
5. Mix moderate with hard activity
If your preferences for the intensity of exercise change often, consider a mix of the two approaches. Remember that one minute of vigorous exercise equals two minutes of moderate activity.
6. Mobility (bike vs. treadmill)
By age 75, about 33% of men and 50% of women do no physical activity, says CDC. And, staying sedentary for long periods hurts health. But, staying mobile has its own challenges for people with balance issues and joint pain. For its increased safety, using a stationary bicycle or treadmill can be a better choice compared to biking outside, especially when some research has been conducted into the best type of machine for your abilities and requirements, for example by reading some recumbent exercise bike reviews, the benefits of a recumbent exercise bicycle for the elderly that would like to remain fit and active, are much greater than those of an upright stationary exercise bike.
7. Flexibility (full-body vs. muscle group)
When stretching to stay flexible, try to incorporate full-body multidirectional movements instead of isolating a muscle group, says strength and conditioning specialist Rocky Snyder.
8. Good environment
Your workout environment, both the people and the surroundings, matter
Amanda Turner is a freelance writer and a
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