Senior fitness programs cater especially to individuals who want to remain active even beyond retirement age. Programs in this category are targeted for seniors’ ability to perform exercises, supported by diets that are relevant to their age and health.
Senior Fitness – Programs Tailored for Senior Citizens
The burgeoning of baby boomers requiring senior fitness programs to help them stay active and healthy has given impetus to health clubs and associations to tailor exercise regimens fit for senior citizens. One fun exercise for seniors would be dancing, may it be ballroom, folk, square or line dancing. The males can also be involved in sports leagues. Such activities benefit not only the physiological aspect but the social aspect as well. Cardiovascular fitness, balance, flexibility and muscular strength should be incorporated in senior fitness programs as well as foods rich in necessary nutrients. Senior citizens may also participate in tai chi classes, gentle yoga or aquatic fitness classes.
Yoga for Seniors – A Way of Relaxing
There are classes offering yoga for seniors. Yoga is an exercise that deals with the whole person, not just the body. It calms the mind while making the body fit. It profits the practitioner by preventing and controlling certain illnesses that accompany old age. It acknowledges your limits and helps you accept what and where you are, thus, enabling you to get in touch with life in a positive manner. Yoga for seniors may take a position that lowers blood pressure and equalizes the nervous system so that heart ailments are prevented. Breathing techniques involved in yoga also help clear respiratory passages and prevent the development of certain diseases.
Senior Exercise – Staying Fit
Since seniors must watch their weight and blood sugar, they must practice exercises that increase their metabolism. They must also bear in mind not to hold their breaths when exercising so as not to increase their blood pressure. Movements that are part of senior exercise must be smooth and steady to avoid damaging joints and muscles. Seniors are prone to falls so they must build leg muscles to sustain their balance. This can be done through lower body exercises such as side leg raises, hip flexion and extension, heel-to-toe walking and standing on a single foot. Stretching and endurance exercises likewise help in achieving flexibility and strength.