When life gets busy, our consistent exercise routine is one of the first things we sacrifice. For older adults, however, maintaining fitness is a habit that can promote longevity and reduce the risk of future injuries. For older adults ready to restart their wellness regiment, read below to discover five tips to help you maintain your fitness after 50.
Talk with Your Doctor
Meet with a medical professional to determine the best fitness regimen for your unique needs. While consulting with a doctor about specific exercise concerns is essential for people of all ages, older adults that regularly meet with a health professional engage in safer and more effective exercise. Specifically, a health professional can advise workouts for a specific medical condition to reduce the risk of worsening an injury or to address chronic pain. Although exercise is a vital aspect of fitness after 50, a health professional can offer other wellness tips, such as guidance on healthy eating and recommendations for anti-aging foods.
Incorporate Strength Training
Believe it or not, strength training is one of the most important aspects of older adults’ workout routine. Although you may not be planning on entering a bodybuilding competition, light strength training offers some extraordinary benefits as we age. Continuing to develop muscles in our backs, abdominals, legs, and arms can reduce the impact of sarcopenia and osteoporosis, as well as reducing signs and symptoms of many chronic illnesses, including heart disease, arthritis, and type 2 diabetes.
Make Stretching and Balancing Exercises Part of Your Routine
While stretching may be a frequently overlooked step of many workouts, it is an essential practice for older adults who want to make the most out of their fitness regimens. Regular stretching can loosen up our muscles to reduce the risk of a sprain or tear, while also promoting increased freedom to complete everyday activities independently. Activities like Tai Chi and yoga also work to improve balance, which can reduce the risk and fear of falling in older adults. An older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall every 11 seconds–it’s time to start improving your balance and flexibility today!
Team Up with a Friend
Studies show that no matter our age, we are more likely to stick to a workout routine if we have someone to do it with. Whether you rely on your best friend or partner as your workout buddy or attend group fitness classes, physical activity that also encourages social interaction is especially helpful for older adults!
Give Your Body Time to Recover
Once you finish your workout and stretch out your muscles, be sure to give your body plenty of time to recover. Even if you may have been able to knock out two workouts in one day in your teens and 20s, studies indicate that older adults’ muscles take longer to recover from exercise. This doesn’t mean that you need to avoid exercise altogether, but rather be aware of the time you are dedicating to recovery after a workout. Each person will need a different recovery period, so listen to your body and speak with your healthcare provider about what your exercise recovery should look like.
At All American Healthcare, we are dedicated to helping you improve your health at every age. If you are ready to restart your fitness routine or are trying to overcome chronic neck or back pain that is getting in the way of your exercise, meet with the medical professionals at All American Healthcare. We offer a variety of services in the Hammond and Covington, Louisiana areas, including chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and pain management options to help our clients overcome chronic pain. If you are ready to start living pain-free, contact the team at All American Healthcare to schedule your free consultation today.
