Senior Fitness Workouts: 5 Alternatives to Common Exercises

Research indicates that around 44% of older men and 49% of older women in the United States do not engage in leisure-time aerobic activity. Physical activity is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle for older people.

The benefits of physical activity include reducing the likelihood of falls, reducing feelings of anxiety and depression, and reducing existing functional limitations.

As we get older, partaking in aerobic activity can become more challenging. Exercising, however, does not mean high-intensity training and there is a wide range of senior fitness workouts that can help us to remain fit, healthy, and active throughout our golden years. In this blog post, we will highlight 5 great functional fitness workouts for seniors.

1. Balance Exercises

Being steady on your feet is especially important among older people, helping to reduce the likelihood of fall-related injuries and allowing greater independence.

One great exercise that you can perform to improve balance is weight shifts. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and shift your weight onto one foot. Then, lift the other foot and hold this position for 30 seconds (you can increase the time slowly as you progress). Switch to the other side and repeat this a total of 3 times.

2. Strength Exercises

Bodyweight exercises are a great way to build strength without having to visit the gym or lift dumbells. Some great examples here include wall pushups, shoulder blade squeezes, seated knee lifts, ankle rotations, seated heel raises, and abdominal contractions.

3. Yoga

Some of the many benefits of yoga for seniors include:

• Enhanced balance, mobility, and flexibility
• Strengthened bones
• Lessen the risk for depression
• Improved sleeping habits
• Alleviate aches and pains

Yoga is low-impact and it is possible to perform gentle yoga exercises that are designed for people with physical limitations. Yoga can also be performed seated in a chair if it is not possible to lie on the floor.

4. Dancing

Who said exercise couldn’t be fun?! In addition to being a wonderful form of exercise, dancing also helps to maintain strong, promote memory work, and build relationships with others. From waltzing to line dancing and salsa to seated dancing, there are options for people of all ages and physical abilities.

5. Water Aerobics

Water aerobics helps to build strength, enhance balance, and improve flexibility with a reduced risk of injury compared to exercises on land. Some great examples of water aerobic exercises include aqua jogging, flutter kicking, water walking, calf raises, arm curls, and—of course—swimming itself.

Click here for more great exercises for seniors.

Great Senior Fitness Workouts to Perform

The above exercises are an easy way to stay fit and healthy throughout your senior years. All that’s left to do is to put on some senior fitness workout music and start moving!

Like this blog post on senior fitness workouts? Be sure to check out our other informative articles on a wide range of interesting topics.