Exercise Tips for the Elderly

When we get older our bodies become frailer and we don't feel like we want to get out an exercise. However, even with old age we should get out and get our bodies moving to maintain and increase our health. Some people above the age of 60 years old assume that they can't get into better shape but they are dead wrong.

When we are older our bodies do not recover from physical exhausting as quickly as they once did. If you remember when you were young can notice how resilient you were. You could run for an hour, pump weights or chop wood in your parent's back yard. To do such actions now would be almost unthinkable.

The truth is that you can do such activities now but you can't do them as long or as quickly as you once did. It simply takes a lot longer to recover from stress being placed on your body. Therefore you have to slowly increase your physical fitness level over a period of time.

Good Exercises for Older People:

Walking: Walking is a very good exercise for people at all ages of their lives. Walking can be as easy or as intense as you want it to be. Getting out there 15 minutes at a slow pace can slowly increase to 30 minutes and then up to an hour if you are motivated. Walking is relatively low impact and easy to do.

Modified Push-ups: Even when you are young push-ups can put pressure on your elbows, wrists and lower back. When you're older you can lie down on your stomach and push your chest up enough to create tension in your arms. You then relax and come back to the ground. Once you have recovered go ahead and do it again. You don't have to do a complete push up to get the benefits.

Stomach Crunches: Stomach crunches are a really good exercise because your back doesn't have to leave the ground like a full sit-up. Therefore, you won't feel any tension on your back. With a crunch you pull your shoulders up enough off of the ground to get an inch of clearance and put them back down. You are still targeting your stomach muscles.

Side Bends: When we get older we start to get those love handles. If you want to get rid of them side bends are helpful. Stand up straight with your feet together and your arms to the side. Slowly slide your right hand down your leg as far as you can so that your torso starts to bend in that direction. Then slowly pull your hand back up and do in on the other side. Keep this up until you start to get tired.