Exercise advice for people over 65
Living an active lifestyle is a good idea for all of us, with even small levels of exercise and activity massively contributing to overall physical and mental health.
Living an active lifestyle is a good idea for all of us, with even small levels of exercise and activity massively contributing to overall physical and mental health.
Living an active lifestyle is a good idea for all of us, with even small levels of exercise and activity massively contributing to overall physical and mental health. Whilst we are all know that 30 minutes of exercise five days a week is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, research tells us that adults over the age of 65 are the most sedentary age group, with many spending 10 hours or more each day sitting or lying down.
Just because you’re getting older doesn’t mean you have to stop being active.
There are a number of benefits that can be linked to doing more exercise in later life:
For those who have not done much exercise throughout their lives, it can be hard to know where to start. To make this easier we’ve compiled some tips and guidelines on good exercises for older people to try.
Incorporating more exercise into your daily routine doesn’t have to be strenuous.
Walking has a number of fantastic health benefits, with even a stroll around the park or walk to your local shops being good for you. It can help keep your heart healthy, strengthen your bones and does wonders for your mental wellbeing.
It’s a great activity for those in later life as it’s free, fairly relaxed, and doesn’t require high levels of fitness.
Here’s a few easy ways to start walking more:
Sport and exercise is becoming more inclusive all the time, with many of our nations most loved sporting activities now having versions that have been modified to suit older or less agile people.
Take a look at local Walking Football or Walking Netball clubs – not only will you benefit from the exercise but it’s also a fantastic way to meet new people!
There are a number of slower paced sports and activities that are perfect for those who are no longer as mobile or agile as they once were, and are popular among older people:
Take a look at community boards, local ads or your local newspaper to see if you have any teams or clubs within your local area.
Joining a club is a great to stay active, mobile and sociable.
It is recommended that older people should do a combination of both aerobic and strength exercises to maintain and improve their health.
For adults over the age of 65 who have a good level of overall health and fitness, you should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise a week. This may include:
You should also focus on doing some form of strength exercises twice a week, such as:
Whatever way you choose to add more exercise to your daily routine it’s sure to have a positive impact on your life.
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