| Seniors push the envelope for fitness benefits | | | | workout…even on days when you feel your |
| 01st March 2007 | | | | worst. |
| Author: Wrapper | | | | Feel The Burn and Set Calories On Fire |
| Who Says Seniors Don't Have Time For Health? | | | | Seniors need to be aware of weight and its |
| Senior health is a popular topic these days as aging | | | | relationship to fitness. As the body ages, it becomes |
| baby boomers try to figure out the best ways to | | | | more difficult to maintain for seniors to maintain an |
| keep enjoying their goldenyears… which | | | | ideal weight without a fitness program, regular |
| happily are lasting longer and longer in the 21st | | | | workouts and exercise. If you can BOOST YOUR |
| Century. Senior fitness is also an important issue as | | | | METABOLISM, your body will be able to burn more |
| technology and labor-saving devices have created a | | | | calories per day. The good news for senior fitness is |
| landscape where 'hard work' is diminished… | | | | that exercise naturally boosts your metabolism. Your |
| but so are the long-term health benefits that come | | | | fitness level will get a real boost if you add weight |
| from leading an active life. And senior health is also a | | | | training or progressive resistance exercise that builds |
| key to a healthy mind. Numerous studies point to a | | | | muscle to your workout. Muscle burns more calories |
| strong connection between regular exercise and | | | | than fat, and the more muscle you have, the more |
| emotional stability, providing strong evidence that | | | | calories you burn, even when you're resting. |
| many seniors can literally exercise away their | | | | Senior Exercise Prevents Embarrassing Senior |
| depression. | | | | Conditions |
| The ABC of Senior Exercise | | | | One of the 'secret' benefits seniors enjoy from |
| For optimum senior health, the ABC of older fitness is | | | | exercise is freedom from worry. Exercise |
| actually ESC - Endurance, Strength and Cardio. These | | | | strengthens muscles that hold the body's organs in |
| three forms of exercise target different senior health | | | | place to prevent many of the conditions that keep |
| needs and should all be integrated into your workout | | | | seniors from enjoying their lives fully. The positive |
| program. Endurance exercise increases blood flow | | | | effect on the muscles that hold the bladder is the |
| and may protect older people from cardiac injury | | | | reason many older fitness enthusiasts have found |
| during a heart attack, according to a new University | | | | that keeping to a regular workout helps them put off |
| of Florida study. Strength exercises increase muscle | | | | some of the most common (and potentially |
| mass and improve metabolism which aids in | | | | embarrassing) signs of aging including urinary tract |
| maintaining a healthy weight…a key challenge | | | | problems. Simple pelvic exercises performed for a |
| in senior health. Workouts that target the | | | | few minutes a day several times a week can |
| cardiovascular system promote heart health. Add | | | | improve senior health exponentially. |
| stretching and balance exercises for a complete | | | | Safety In Numbers |
| approach to senior health and overall senior fitness. | | | | Seniors who want to stay on track with their |
| Do What You Like…With Someone You Love | | | | workouts often choose group classes as their |
| Seniors who have never exercised before shouldn't | | | | preferred way to get exercise. Senior fitness groups |
| set themselves up to fail at exercise beyond their | | | | provide inspiration and motivation, along with activity |
| skill level such as jazzercise or aerobics. They're sure | | | | levels geared to the needs of older fitness seekers. |
| to lose interest because they won't enjoy what | | | | There is also a sense of community, as senior fitness |
| they're doing. Instead, you should find great | | | | centers became meeting places to share information |
| STARTER ACTIVITIES that seniors can do to | | | | on general senior health topics. As the interest in |
| elevate heart rate such as nature hikes, ballroom | | | | senior exercise classes has grown health clubs eager |
| dancing lessons, or even mall walks. Since exercise is | | | | to 'cash-in' on the senior fitness craze, are creating a |
| something you need to do regularly, ask a family | | | | wide range of options for their older members |
| member of friend to exercise with you. Not only will | | | | including senior yoga, senior aerobics…even |
| a buddy increase your exercise 'FQ' (Fun Quotient), | | | | senior water polo! |
| he/she will keep you inspired to do your best | | | | |