Low Impact Exercises for Seniors

Your body undergoes various changes as you age. You may find that you’re not be as strong as you once were, bone density and joint support may begin to wane, and balance may become an issue. Depending on your level of fitness, the high impact exercises you participated in your 20s, 30s or 40s may not be as effective for your current body. Take the initiative and start by taking care of yourself with low-impact exercises.  Remember, make sure you clear it with your doctor before starting any new exercise regimen.

Walking

Toss on your tennis shoes and start walking. This everyday activity is ideal for anyone thinking about starting a new exercise regimen. Walking helps stabilize your feet, ankles, knees, and hips by continuously working your muscles and strengthening your connective tissue. Keep the walk interesting by varying the intensity with more hills, walking at a faster pace, or changing the scenery.

Swimming

Swimming allows you to exercise without the jarring movements that can occur during running or other high-impact exercises. Water provides the buoyancy you need to support your joints and can help reduce pain. Swimming helps you develop strong and stable core muscles, which are necessary for good balance control.

Yoga

Yoga focuses on strength and stability. Falling is the leading cause of injury among older adults. The slow, measured movements and strengthening poses can help you achieve better balance and therefore help you prevent falls. Yoga increases your flexibility, can help reduces back pain, enhance muscle coordination, decrease soreness, increase posture, and prevent injury.

Cycling

Cycling is a fun and easy way to incorporate a workout into your everyday life. Instead of driving, hop on your bike to run your errands. If biking with cars on the road makes you nervous, sign up for a group indoor cycling class. Cycling is a great way to use all your major muscle groups. It has been shown to help improve endurance and heart health, lowers blood pressure and stress levels as well as strengthening your bones, hip, and leg muscles without stressing your joints.  

Tai Chi

This is a great exercise for those who like to practice in a group or alone. Tai Chi is a gentle exercise that consists of motions that are slow and controlled. Practicing Tai Chi has been known to help alleviate pain from stress, promote lower body and leg strength, reduce blood pressure, and improve balance.

Keep Moving

By reducing the intensity of your exercise routine, you can find a workout that is more in line with what your body needs. Regular physical activity boosts not only your energy levels, but your confidence as well. It’s also a great way to protect your body from diseases like obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. At Catholic Eldercare, we provide many different exercise options as well as licensed exercise instructors to keep your loved ones active and healthy. For more information on our senior-friendly activities, contact our office today at 612-379-1370. We look forward to answering your questions or setting up a tour.