Everyone knows that exercise is essential for leading a healthy lifestyle, but once you’ve reached the half-century milestone of 50 years old, it’s common for exercise to become less of a priority. It’s important to remember you are never too old to exercise. In fact, the older you get, the more important it is to keep your body moving.
To lower your risk of developing serious health problems, it is essential you stay active. It will help maintain your body weight, you’ll feel more energetic and happier, and it could even reduce the health deteriorating symptoms that come with aging. Here are some of the best exercise you can be doing to improve your quality of life when that youthful spring in your step is no longer there.
Weight training
As you get older, you’ll start to lose muscle tissue mass. To help counteract this, weight training is and always will be one of the best forms of exercising that keeps you fit and also helps sustain a toned physique. Weight training doesn’t necessarily have to be about gaining muscle, in fact, muscle building is a hard task over the age of 50. Instead, regular workouts incorporating compound exercises will help maintain core strength - like deadlifts, push-ups, squats, etc.
Yoga
If you’re looking for an exercise that’s not too strenuously back-breaking, then the calming effects of yoga may be just what you need. Yoga is a fantastic way to stay supple and flexible, and working on your core strength will help improve posture and balance too. As well as benefits to your physical health, yoga can be a spiritual experience with meditating effects, helping to improve your mental health by reducing stresses and anxieties.
Swimming
Swimming is a fantastic option for what feels like low-impact exercise. It’s also great for anyone with joint problems as the water buoyancy will support your weight. You’ll burn plenty of calories, and you’ll get your heart rate up using two-thirds of the body’s muscles.
Dancing
That’s right, moving joyously to music is actually considered exercise, in fact, it’s a brilliant way to stay fit. Because dancing is weight-bearing, it will get your heart racing as well as tone your muscles. There’s plenty of dance forms that can be right for you - it could be partner-work in salsa or ballroom or even fun Zumba classes.
Walking
Once you hit 50, carrying out some forms of demanding exercise like weight lifting or running can be tricky - it could even be at further risk to your health. So if you are prone to bone or joint problems then moderate exercise like walking, light-jogging or racquet sports can be some of the best activities you can do. Research commonly finds that those who walk regularly have improved well being - better moods, fewer anxieties, and lower risks of cancer, diabetes, stroke, and dementia.
Finding the motivation for holding down an effective exercise regime can be a tough task for anyone, so it is crucial you find the right form of exercise for you. There’s plenty of different pathways for you to take, and remember it is never too late to begin a fitness journey. Now get that gym membership reinstated, TODAY.
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