As a senior citizen, there is a good chance that you just aren’t as active as you used to be. However, in general, the CDC recommends that older adults get at least 150 minutes of exercise per week and that they perform muscle-strengthening exercises twice a week. If you aren’t getting this much exercise, you shouldn’t despair. Instead, try these tips for getting more exercise as a senior citizen.
Do Exercises While Sitting Down
If you are like a lot of senior citizens, you might spend a lot of time sitting down. Luckily, it is possible for you to get exercise even while you’re sitting down. For example, there are miniature “stair climbers” that you can place at your feet in order to get your legs moving. You can also use light weights to strengthen your arm muscles while you’re relaxing in your chair, such as if you are watching your favorite television show. To get started, you are going to need a good, comfortable chair; one good option is one of the chairs from perfectsleepchair.com.
Get in the Water
Now that you have gotten older, you might have found that your joints hurt more than they used to. This can make physical activity difficult, but you do have options. For example, if you get in a swimming pool to exercise, you might find that it’s a lot gentler on your joints and that it’s a lot of fun as well. You can get in your own swimming pool to perform a few light exercises, or you can look for senior classes that are designed to get seniors like you into the pool and working out. Taking one of these classes is a good way for you to get moving and to meet other senior citizens who are interested in being more active as well.
Go for a Walk
Walking can be a lot gentler and easier on your body than jogging or running, making it a greater choice for older adults. You can even bring along a walker or a cane if it will provide you with stability or make you feel more comfortable or confident. The great thing about walking for exercise is the fact that you do not have to go anywhere special or spend money on special equipment. Instead, you can simply take a walk around the block. You can start out slowly and then go for longer and longer walks as you build up your endurance. Not only can this help you be more active, but it can be a great way to get outdoors and experience a bit of fresh air as well.
As you can see, there are a few different tips that you can follow if you’d like to be more active as a senior citizen. Many seniors do not get as much exercise as they should, but by taking a few simple steps, you can make a big improvement in your activity level.
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