Exercise is as essential for older adults as it is for everyone. Different types of exercise can provide different benefits to older adults. Today we are going to go over some different types of exercise and their benefits. As always, please consult your doctor about your specific needs.
Strength Training
Strength training can be really important for older adults! Not only can strength training help prevent osteoporosis and can combat muscle mass decline, according to Dr. Rachel Tavel for Women’s Health Magazine, but it can also help prevent falls. Strength training does not have to be lifting free weights (although you can use those) but it includes bodyweight and resistance band training as well.
Water Exercises
The reason why a lot of older adults love water aerobics is because performing the exercises in the water makes it much easier on their joints. Maybe water aerobics specifically is not for you, but talk to your doctor about possible water exercises you can participate in that will be easy on your joints.
Yoga
Yoga is a whole-body meditation, and I think it can work really well for older adults. The reason why is that yoga is very focused on modifications that you can do, and about doing the best you can. I find myself listening to my body during yoga about what it can do that day, and not about what I think I should be able to do. Chair yoga is a great option for older adults and the modifications can be done quite easily. There are also a lot of resources online for yoga content that older adults can follow. This is also a great positive aspect of water aerobics as well.
I will talk to you all tomorrow, so stay tuned! Let me know down below what your favorite way to exercise is!
Written by Brigid Stakelum
