Do you find exercising a chore? Make sure you check out these senior approved exercises for some that will take you out of that funk!
Senior approved exercises may sound a bit weird at first, but when you think about it, it makes a lot of sense! There are a lot of types of sports and activities, and not all of them are as enjoyable as others. Some people may go the easy route and say to go on a walk or join a gym in order to stay active, but as retirees, it is not that easy or there may not be enough physical activity.
Here at Golden Years Bliss, we know just how important physical activity is for a retiree and how it plays a crucial role in being able to enjoy your golden years to the fullest. However, it is easier said than done, and some types of exercises are not as easy to enjoy as others.
This is why we have put together a list of some of the exercises and activities that most seniors enjoy that will also help you maintain a certain level of regular physical activity. They will help you with your balance and flexibility, and they also come with some aerobics in there!
Of course, you can always continue going to the gym if that is what you have always done, but if you have not been a regular in any sort of sport or physical activity before your retirement, then we suggest you give these senior-approved exercises a chance. They are easy to do, people swear by the fact that they are enjoyable, and, above all, they are fun! Let’s dive into them now!
Do you have any exercises that you would like to pick up as a senior? Is there anything on our list that piques your interest? Let us know in the comments below!
1. Dancing
You may not think that you are a good dancer, but this is the beauty of picking up dance as a senior or retiree: you do not have to be. These classes are made for beginners, and it is a great way to get some exercise while also having a lot of fun and listening to your favorite type of music.
Whether you choose to learn a formal type of dance or sign up for a Zumba class, you should definitely give any of them a chance as a senior.
Do not worry if you think you will not be able to do it without a partner, as there are a lot of seniors who attend these classes alone, when it comes to Zumba, these are salsa-inspired fitness classes, and you do not need a partner!
Dancing will provide the aerobic component of your physical activity that you will need, along with making sure you maintain and improve your coordination and balance. Not to mention, this exercise has been proven to also bring about some cardiovascular benefits.
As a plus, you will also be burning off some calories if you have been worried about that!
2. Bowling
If you want to stay active but do not want something that will make you sweat a lot, then maybe you should give bowling a try. You can go to the local bowling alley, and if they have any, you can even join a league. That way, you can learn to play more competitively and also enjoy the social aspect of playing bowling with other people.
This exercise is endorsed by a lot of seniors as it promotes hand-eye coordination and the upkeep of it, along with aiding your endurance and upper body strength.
Not to mention, it is a very enjoyable sport, and you can easily pick it up and learn it. What’s more, it is relatively low impact and if you are in good health it should not be an issue to play it.
It may take a few times before you truly get the hang of it, but it is a fun exercise that suits retirement perfectly. And you can get both the physical benefits and the social ones!
3. Tai chi
Since we have mentioned low-impact activities, another senior-approved exercise includes Tai Chi. This old Chinese martial art has been practiced for centuries for health and self-defense. You may think it is a bit cliche since there are a lot of movies that have this activity aimed at seniors, but there is truth to these images.
Tai Chi is famous for its usage of slow, yet intentional movement, as it provides mindfulness, and this is exactly why it is recommended for retirees. Anyone can practice it, no matter their physical fitness, and you can pretty much practice it anywhere you are.
This exercise improves balance and coordination, as well as flexibility, due to the slow movements, and over time you can expect to see your strength improve as well. As a result, by practicing this sport, you can reduce the possibility of falling as you get older.
If Tai Chi is something that has caught your interest but there are no lessons close to your area, do not be discouraged! There are many videos and guided ways with which you can learn this exercise, but the most helpful one we have discovered is available here for a bargain!
4. Yoga
Like with Tai Chi, yoga is another low-impact form of exercise that is recommended to retirees and seniors alike. During your golden years, you want to make sure your body is in shape, and these types of activities will not put too much strain on it while also toning muscle mass, helping you lose weight, and improving your coordination and balance.
Yoga originated in India, and if you think only of the person sitting in the lotus position (with their legs crossed) meditating, you should brush up on your yoga knowledge. There are a lot of different types of yoga, some of which are designed with mindfulness in mind, while others are aimed at toning your body.
Both of these types of activities are senior-approved since they are easy to pick up, you can do them almost anywhere, and they can be done by most people. There are also yoga classes for people who can only sit, and you can always adapt the moves to your fitness level!
5. Water aerobics or swimming
Swimming in general is a great way to get in some exercise without putting too much strain on your body, which is why it is a senior-approved exercise. Not only can you cool yourself during a hot day, but you can get in your exercises in the pool as well.
Whether you end up swimming or joining a water aerobics class, you can keep active with low-impact exercises that are easy on the joints and will not cause you more pain. You can join classes if there are any at your local pool or leisure center.
However, if you do not want to do that or they are not available to you, you can always practice on your own. If there are stairs, you can sit on them and do kicks underwater, or even just walking back and forth in the pool is great exercise, in addition to swimming if you feel like it.
Takeaway!
There are many ways through which you can get some physical activity as a senior, and these are just some of our senior-approved exercises that are easy and fun to do!
Yet, before you start doing any sort of sport or pick up a physical hobby like these ones, you should speak to your doctor or physician to see if your chosen activity would be safe for you to do. That way, you can make sure you do not end up doing something that could endanger your health more than help you!
If you are looking for a new hobby that will be beneficial to you but do not want to pick up any of the activities we mentioned, how about you give gardening a chance? Studies have found it beneficial for your golden years, and you can read all about the health benefits associated with gardening in this article here!
