Staying Fit At Any Age

There is no age limit to being physically fit. In fact, baby boomers are one of the fastest growing groups in health club memberships for this reason. Staying active in your fifties and beyond offers a huge variety of benefits, including increased bone density as well as prevention of heart disease and diabetes. And did we mention exercise can make you feel younger, too?

Know Yourself

Before you get started, assess your physical condition.
• Do I have any aches or pains?
• Do I have high blood pressure?
• Do I have any shortness of breath?

An exercise regimen should be tailored around your body’s needs, so consider working with a personal trainer. Also consult with your physician before beginning a new workout routine.

Concentrate on Cardio

Cardio exercises, which can include activities like jogging, walking or swimming, increase your heart rate for an extended period of time and are recommended to maintain heart health and prevent disease. Ease into a cardio program to protect yourself from injury and give your body and mind time to adjust to these new demands. You can start with as little as five minutes of activity at a time to build up your endurance

Strengthen Your Muscles

Loss of muscle strength happens naturally as you age, and is a leading cause of injuries among older adults. To increase muscle strength, choose exercises that involve working against a force, like your body, weight machines, free weights,
resistance bands or a stability ball. Start with the basics such as biceps curls and triceps extensions to amp up arm strength, squats to build leg muscle and static core exercises like planks to develop abdominal muscles.