For fitness programs for seniors , the trick is senior fitness. Many Gerontologists, who study physical, mental and social changes in people because they age, say that the average senior is happier and healthier if they maintain a steady physical activity program.
Most seniors understand that aerobic activity is essential for heart health however they neglect the point that even at advanced age strength training is still needed. Along with that, many seniors who do regularly perform aerobic activity don't take time to stretch before each workout resulting in increased injuries.
A fit and active 75 year old can be as strong and athletic being an unfit 35 year old. According to one report, an active person will physically decline by no more than �% a year compared to a sedimentary person who will decline by almost a complete 2%. Simply because we lose 3% - 5% of our muscle mass every decade, after about our 40th birthday, we are able to still continue to increase muscle strength and speed with regular physical exercise.
Being truly a fit senior can even enhance your mood. Research has shown that 14% -18% of seniors are depressed. It has been shown that a regular fitness activity may also give near to the same effect as antidepressant medication, minus the negative side-effects.
Even the simple act of walking can greatly boost your happiness during retirement. In a Honolulu Heart Program study the death rate of men who walked one mile or less was almost twice that of seniors who walked a lot more than two miles each day. Another study conducted between 1990 and 2001 showed that senior's who walked over half an hour each day had few deaths during the time frame than those that did not.
Even though you're currently out of a shape or haven't exercised in years, a custom program could be designed for you by way of a senior physical fitness expert. Don't try to make up for years of not exercising in a single day. Start slowly and work your way up, for instance: Begin walking and build your time and effort up 5 minutes a day one week, ten minutes a day another so on and so on, and when you obtain bored walking start speed walking utilizing the same time frames. Walk, Speed walk, Jog, Run - Don't just start running. Starting quick can injure you or even make it so you're burned out and no longer want to work out.
Remember you're "only as old as you are feeling" and being truly a fit senior can help you feel young.
