Top 8 Ways for Seniors to Keep Fit

Getting older does not give you an excuse to give up exercising altogether and become a couch potato.

It is essential to keep fit as you age because it can reduce the risk of certain illnesses such as type 2 diabetes and strokes.

Working out is a brilliant way to keep in touch with your friends and make new ones, and it can help to overcome mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, which can become more common as you get older.

You should do at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity if you want to stay fit and healthy, and you are never too old to start exercising.

However, you should consult your doctor before beginning a new exercise program or returning to a sport or activity after a long hiatus.

There are plenty of different sports and exercise regimes you could try but here are the top ways for seniors to keep fit.

Walking

This is a great workout for seniors. Spending time outdoors is a wonderful way to get a good cardiovascular workout.

You can change your route depending on your mood and walking on different types of terrain can help you to improve your strength, agility, and balance as well as improve your mood and reduce stress.

Yoga

Yoga will help you to work on your strength and flexibility. It will improve your core stability, which will reduce the risk of trips and falls.

It can also lower your blood pressure and help you manage pain such as osteoarthritis, which can be common in women as they age.

There are some fantastic online yoga classes, but if you want to be more social, then physical classes can be a great way to socialize with like-minded people.

Many senior care facilities all over the country, such as Bridgeton Senior Living establishments, offer classes in yoga because of the range of health benefits associated with it.

Walking Soccer

If you are looking for a team sport, then walking soccer is a wonderfully inclusive way to keep fit.

Walking rather than running towards the ball means that you don’t have to be seriously fit to get involved, but the exercise will improve your cardiovascular health and give you a lovely sense of camaraderie within your team.

Cycling

This is a non-impact activity, so it does not place stress on your joints.

However, as it uses larger muscle groups, it is brilliant for increasing your blood flow, especially in your heart and lungs, which leads to the strengthening of these organs.

This means that you may feel fitter and healthier as a result. Cycling can be done at your own pace so you can exert yourself as much as you want to.

It is a wonderful way to travel, and it means that you can ditch the car and save money on gas and parking when you want to go out.

Dancing

One of the most sociable ways to keep fit is by dancing. There are lots of different types of dancing depending on your personal preference.

Why not try some old-time ballroom dancing or up the tempo with a salsa workout?

You may be expected to change dancing partners frequently which will give you a great chance to chat with your fellow classmates and make new friends.

If couples dancing isn’t your idea of fun, then there are some wonderful classes where you can dance individually such as Jazz or Zumba.

These are sociable styles of dance without the added pressure of needing to dance with a partner.

Golf

Many retired people take up, or return to, playing golf. It is a fantastic way to improve your upper body strength and you don’t have to be perfectly mobile as you can use a golf buggy to get you from one hole to the next.

This makes it easier on the lower body as well as a fun way to get out and about. Golf is a very sociable sport, as you will play with club members or a group of friends.

After the game, many players enjoy retiring to the clubhouse to discuss their form and learn new skills from their fellow golfers.

Swimming

The beauty of swimming is that the water supports your body. This eases the strain on your joints and many older swimmers find it easier to move through the water than get about on land.

You exercise your whole body while you are swimming, meaning that this is a great workout for all your muscles, and it can help to increase your strength and overall fitness.

Badminton

Badminton is popular with seniors, and you will find playing improves your balance and coordination, both of which can become more of a problem as you get older.

The court is usually indoors, which means that you can play throughout the year, although there is a lot of running and jumping involved.

The small size of the court means that your efforts are more concentrated than they are with other racquet sports such as tennis, which means you don’t have to be super fit to take up the sport.

Badminton is played with a group of either two or four people, making it quite a sociable sport. If you are looking for people to play against then look for a local club to join.

Here you can meet new people and play against people with different abilities, meaning that you can always learn new skills.

Conclusion

These are all brilliant sports if you want to keep fit as you get older. It may be worth trying a few options that sound good and seeing which ones you enjoy the most.

Often, the best sport will be the one that you enjoy the most that brings you into contact with a great bunch of people. Enjoyment and camaraderie may be the things that motivate you the most and keep you going back for more.