Exercise is essential to staying healthy throughout all stages of life, especially the Golden Years. However, if you have joint pain, are carrying excess weight, or are new to working out, it might seem difficult to find a fun exercise that is suitable for a senior. Fortunately, there are plenty of low-impact exercise regimens that can help seniors stay fit and healthy.

Walking

Walking isn’t only the most popular low-impact exercise, but it’s also the least expensive. It’s so easy to work a walk around the block into your daily routine that you might wonder why you’ve never done it before. Maybe you would like to take a walk around your neighborhood in the morning, taking a few moments to enjoy the birds singing. Perhaps you’re keener on taking an after-dinner stroll with a loved one, discussing the day’s events and taking in the scenery all while you help strengthen your body. Either way, if you have a pair of well-fitting walking shoes, you’re ready to go!

Cycling

If you’re looking for a practical low-impact workout, consider hopping on a bike. While pedaling quickly or up a steep incline can be quite a physical challenge, cycling is considered a low-impact exercise that won’t harm your joints the way running might. You can start off by training in the gym or on a stationary bike, or by doing short rides near your home on your own bike. After you’ve built up your strength and stamina, you may be able to use your bike to take trips to the corner store or complete other small errands you might use your car for instead. Why wouldn’t you want to save money on gas while keeping yourself active?

Swimming

Swimming might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you’re thinking about exercise options for people in Milwaukee, but with heated indoor pools, you might find that swimming a few laps is your favorite low-impact exercise. Not only can swimming increase your endurance and make your body more flexible, but fighting against the resistance of the water can greatly improve the strength of your muscles.

Of course, if you can’t swim, doing laps in the pool is out of the question for you, but you don’t necessarily have to give up on completing low-impact exercises in the water. Water aerobics classes are generally held in shallower water that is waist- or chest-high, and therefore manageable to even non-swimmers. Throughout these classes, the instructors lead their groups through a series of fun exercises meant to work a variety of muscle groups, all while using the resistance of the water.

Weight Lifting

Forget those intimidating images of gargantuan lifters you see during the Olympics; anyone can lift weights if they start out small. If you’d like to start lifting weights, it’s important to begin with light weights that won’t place too much strain on your body. If you are working out and feel any kind of discomfort during your weight training routine, it’s time to use a lighter weight. Should your muscles continue to ache afterwards, refrain from doing that particular exercise in the future.

Remember: Before you start any training regimen, be sure to check with your doctor to see if you are healthy enough to perform the exercises you have in mind.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health and wellness in Milwaukee, WI.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health and wellness in Milwaukee, WI. http://www.yellowpages.com/milwaukee-wi/laser-spine-institute

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health and wellness in Milwaukee, WI.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: exercises, health, wellness, senior exercises, activities for seniors