Senior Fitness

Senior fitness requires exercise, but it must be the correct exercise. If seniors exercise incorrectly they can cause great harm. Here are the right exercises for seniors.

There are four basic components to correct exercise for seniors that will lead to healthy living: cardio, strength, flexibility and balance. There actually is a fifth component which leads to healthy living, even though it s not exercise, but it is worth mentioning here. That fifth component is a regular diet of the right foods-avoiding processed foods and eating lots of fruits and green leafy vegetables.

Cardio Training

For cardio training this is any activity that increases the heart rate. Good exercises that are appropriate for seniors include: walking, swimming and bike riding. Becoming involved in this form of exercise three or more times per week is essential.

Strength Exercise

Strength building exercises are also important for seniors. As we age our muscles slowly begin to decline in their size. The more a muscle is not used the more it will shrink. As a senior it is important to exercise with light weighs a few times each week to keep muscles strong.

For weigh training, seniors can buy weights at many locations. The best are those made of rubber. These are less likely to cause damage if dropped and while in use.

Flexibility and Stetching Exercise

For good posture and healthy joints it is important for seniors to undertake a few minutes each day or every other day a regime of stretching exercises. Exercises that involve stretching help keep the body flexible.

Balance Exercise

Finally, it is necessary for seniors to do some sort of balance exercises. This is an area of exercise that is often overlooked, yet very important. Slip and fall accidents are the number one category of injury for the elderly. The reason is because as we age we also lose our sense of balance and become more vulnerable to falling. By doing balance exercises this will help prevent fall accidents.

As with any exercise activity, especially as a senior, it will be critical to consult with a physician first before anything is started. That way they can assure that the activities are safe and proper for the health of the individual.

Keep in mind these four components of proper exercise for seniors. Senior fitness is important and should not be ignored if one is to have a happy and healthy life during their later years. But it must be done right and include all four of the mentioned components.