Staying Fit After 45
So many of us feel like our health is out of our control when we cross the threshold of our mid 40’s. So many of the workouts marketed to us feel intended for a younger generation, complete with stringent routines and goals that don’t align with our own. to be for a younger generation, head into their silver years. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to keep on top of your health after you reach the age of 50 so that you can stay healthy for as long as possible and hopefully not need senior care until you are well into old age, if at all.
Dance
Putting on your music and having a dance can have a number of health benefits. Not only does dancing improve muscular strength and cardiovascular performance, but it has also been proven to improve mental wellbeing. We are never too old to dance.
Pilates
So many of us have picked up injuries along the way, and finding an exercise that doesn’t exacerbate that can be challenging. Pilates is ideal for those with injuries who are looking to improve their overall body health and strength. One of the most ideal things about pilates is how it strengthens all of you to help resist future injuries while also offering your body overall optimal strength, alignment, and therefore health.
Use The Bike
Ditch the car for short journeys and take the bike instead. Cycling is a great way to gradually improve cardiovascular health. You don’t have to dance on it like you’re at SoulCycle - or pedal away like you are on the last stage of the Tour De France in order to feel the benefits of cycling. Even the lightest regular cycle rides will result in health benefits. If you live in a flatter area, a fixed gear bike might be ideal. These gearless cycles are much lighter and easier to handle than ten or twelve-speed machines.
Exercise For Bone Density
A good trainer for seniors can help long before you actually feel like a senior - and will be able to develop exercise programs especially designed to improve bone health. As people grow older, bone health often suffers. This can make exercise and movement a whole lot harder. In women that have gone through menopause, dips in estrogen levels can trigger osteoporosis. Estrogen is a hormone that plays a large role in the maintenance of strong bones. Jogging and weightlifting are two exercises that are great for bone health, but they need to be planned properly in order to avoid overstraining of muscles in older people.
Try Yoga
Yoga has ancient roots on the Indian Subcontinent, but it only made its way to the West in the late 19th Century, when Indian monks demonstrated yogic techniques to enraptured onlookers. The western version of yoga has since developed and split into many different schools of thought and physical movement practices. Practicing some basic yoga every morning can improve muscular flexibility and strength. There are some amazing free yoga courses that you can take online. Yoga does not have to be complicated. Even the most basic yoga is good for your overall health. Just be sure to listen to your body and not overstretch - a common mistake amongst new yogis.
Give Up Smoking
No matter how old you are, giving up cigarette smoking will markedly improve your health. According to the US National Institute On Ageing, giving up smoking at an advanced age can help reduce the risk of heart attack, lung diseases, cancer and a whole host of other ailments. Your cardiovascular performance will also drastically improve after you give up your habit. This means that any forms of exercise you do in order to improve your broader wellbeing will be easier. Giving up smoking is not easy, but trust us: it is worth it. There are plenty of free programs and even some innovative mobile apps designed to help people give up tobacco smoking. Some older people think that they have left it too late to make a positive change. This is not the case.
