Physical Fitness
Staying active can keep you feeling healthy at every stage of your life. Regular exercise can help prevent heart disease, diabetes, cancer and other diseases. It also helps to improve balance, flexibility, endurance, and strength. There are many low-impact exercises that you can practice, and still reap the health benefits while having fun. Just remember to check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise program.
These low-impact exercises will help boost your energy, endurance and flexibility while keeping you active.
- Walking. Walking is one of the best low-impact endurance exercises. It’s easy enough on the joints and is a great way to keep those bones moving.
- Swimming. Swimming helps improve endurance and flexibility and burns calories.
- Cycling. Cycling can improve your health by easing arthritis pain, helping with high blood pressure and improving mood. A recent study even found that cycling reduces the risk of heart attack in people over 60.
- Stretching. No matter what your workout routine is, adding some gentle stretches will improve your flexibility and range of motion and give your bones a workout.
- Water Aerobics. Water aerobics combines cardiovascular exercise with strength training for a low-impact, full-body workout. By exercising in water, you take advantage of the water’s resistance to strengthen your muscles as you move.
- Yoga. Studies have shown that yoga can be extremely helpful when it comes to combating stress, fatigue and pain. Some yoga poses increase core strength and balance, which reduces the risk of fall-related injuries.
- Gardening. Digging, raking, weeding, mulching, hoeing, sowing, harvesting and watering are all calorie burners that increase your heart rate and keep you active. Your garden will also look great!
- Tai Chi. This ancient Chinese exercise has value in treating and/or preventing many health problems. Combined with slow fluid movements and breathing, benefits include fall prevention, balance boosting, stress and pain reduction and overall improved circulation.
Remember to check with your doctor and/or speak with your AgeWell New York Care Manager or Wellness Coach before beginning any new exercise program.