Exercise your body as you age—and experience numerous health benefits! You’ll reduce your likelihood of age-related diseases, including heart disease, arthritis, high blood pressure and diabetes . Staying active can be low-cost and even free—but it’s invaluable to your overall health.
Here are seven low-impact workouts you can do to keep your body nimble, strong and vibrant:
Yoga—an ancient art founded in India around the sixth century BCE
As a gentle form of exercise, yoga helps you manage stress, boost your energy levels and aids in a good night’s rest. Yoga doesn’t have to be intimidating—there are many simple yoga poses you can explore to increase your flexibility and keep you in peak shape.
Stand-up Paddleboarding—an offshoot of surfing!
Being on a board in the water is just pleasant. You can vary your workout from light and relaxing to more vigorous, based on your individual fitness level. You’re in the driver seat—uh, we mean—on the board paddling.
Strength Training—it’s not just for Arnold
You can ease into strength training by starting out with lighter weights, from one to five pounds, gradually increasing your muscle mass and strength so you can incorporate a more dynamic workout later on—if you choose. Experts say muscle mass naturally diminishes as we age. So building strength is important, especially after 40.
Pilates—Joseph Pilates overcame childhood frailty to become a gymnast and skier!
Pilates is a full-body workout that gives anyone increased flexibility and strength. It’s ideal for those over 40 because it limits stress on the muscles and is a far cry from the “no pain, no gain” theory.
Tai Chi—originally a martial art
Tai chi is on the opposite end of extreme—and that’s the draw for those over 40. Tai chi has been proclaimed to be a gentle form of exercise with proven benefits, like stress relief, reduced blood pressure, improved mental focus and increased balance. Experts recommend starting tai chi workouts with an experienced trainer.
Corrective Training—it’s not boot camp!
This is a great form of exercise for joint pain, posture development or muscle imbalances. The exercise is practiced widely by personal trainers. Movements include squats, lunges, pushing and pulling, rotation and bends.
Cardio—it’s also great for your heart!
We can’t leave out cardio, one of the most widely-practiced, enjoyable activities performed by adults over 40 already. Cardio workouts include running, cycling, swimming, hiking and walking.
As you grow wiser, it’s important you reach for the ceiling in challenging yoga poses, for the dumbbells to promote strength or for your hiking boots to build cardiovascular endurance. Physical activity, at least 3-5 times a week helps develop an alert mind and a strong body that is less prone to injury, especially in adults over 40. Grab a water bottle for your weekend workout!
