Older adults (those over 50 years of age) can benefit from regular exercise. Psychological, emotional, social and physical benefits are rewarded to older adults that stay physically active on a regular basis. However, your body is not as physically capable as it used to be.
That means you should attempt to focus on low impact exercises as a means of staying active. Listed below are several ideas for enjoying exercise as an older adult, without subjecting yourself to the possible dangers of high impact activities.
Join a Seniors Hiking Club
Joining a hiking club is an excellent way to enjoy the great outdoors while staying physically active at the same time. Thanks to the power of the Internet, finding a hiking club that caters to your specific age group is as simple as a few clicks of the mouse.
Do Some Yard Work
Raking leaves, mowing your lawn, weeding your garden and planting flowers are all physically demanding activities. They are all low impact forms of exercise as well. Health experts recommend spending time outdoors each and every day, and handling some overlooked yard work is a great way to do exactly that.
Take the Stairs and Not the Elevator
This is a no-brainer, low impact exercise that older adults (and younger) frown upon. Whenever possible, hit the stairs instead of lazily boarding the elevator. Your heart, mind and body will all benefit from this simple to perform but much avoided low impact physical activity.
Walk Instead of Driving
If you live 20 miles from your job, walking instead of driving is probably not a smart move. However, simply out of habit human beings reach for the car keys far too frequently. If your destination is less than 1 or 2 miles away and the weather is cooperating, why not walk and enjoy the scenery while you benefit from this low impact activity?
Go For a Swim
Swimming is an excellent low impact exercise. It could also be considered “no impact” because of the buoyant properties of water. Many health professionals and personal trainers consider swimming to be the perfect exercise, since it effectively reduces the stress, strain, and impact of traditional exercise.
Hit the Dance Floor
Whoever said exercise had to be boring? Call your friends, grab your partner and head out for a night of dancing. Different types of music require higher and lower intensity dance moves, so you can cater your rug cutting evening to your particular fitness level.
Go Stand up Paddling
What exactly is an SUP? Why, a stand up paddleboard of course. Imagine a wider, longer surfboard that you stand on. That is exactly what a stand up paddleboard is. It promotes physical fitness from head to toe, since your body is constantly balancing as you stand on your board and propel yourself through the water with a long handled paddle.
Go Bike Riding
My personal favourite – I like mountain biking, but for low impact an easy slow ride on a path in a park is a great exercise. Pedal at your own leisure while checking out the scenery.
So there you have it. A few ideas for low impact exercises. Not all will suit you but I think some will. Or do you have an exercise not listed above? Please share below by leaving a comment.
