Have you noticed your body changing as you get older? As we age, our bones literally start to shrink and lose density which makes them weaker. Our muscles also start to lose strength, and that’s why we might notice a decline in our endurance and flexibility.
Walking is the Best Exercise for Seniors
This is why bones can break more easily in older people, and why our coordination, stability and balance can also deteriorate as we age. This means that our reasons for exercising may change as we get older, and we might need to adapt our exercise routine to better suit our changing biology.
The good news is that starting or maintaining an exercise routine in our senior years can help slow down some of the biological effects of ageing, and help us live a longer, healthier and more enjoyable life
Regular exercise can help prevent common diseases including osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease and depression, which are increasingly prevalent in older Australians. If we are unfortunate enough to experience any of these conditions, exercise can help reduce the symptoms and severity.
Researchers are also uncovering links between exercise and brain health, with studies suggesting that regular exercise could reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia by almost 50%.
Plus there is an overwhelming amount of evidence suggesting that regular exercise can have a significant positive impact on our mental health.
One of the less obvious benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle as we age is that seniors who exercise regularly are better able to maintain their independence. According to a study conducted at the Harvard Medical School, exercising regularly helps seniors maintain their ability to independently walk, bathe, cook, eat, dress, and use the bathroom. This means that exercise is one of the best ways for older adults to live independently for longer.
It’s recommended that older adults should achieve somewhere between two and five hours of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, ideally spread out across the week. So what is the best form of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for seniors?
Walking! This often underrated exercise is one of the most beneficial and safe activities you can do to stay active as you get older. It’s low impact which means you are less likely to experience an injury, and you can adapt your walking pace to your individual abilities.
With a home treadmill it’s easy to achieve a total body workout at any time of the day or night by integrating exercises such as walking lunges, side shuffles, walking planks, reverse mountain climbers and crab walks into your treadmill routine.
With a BeFit Hire treadmill in your home, there’s absolutely no excuse for skipping your workouts and you’ll find it so much easier to maintain your fitness routine and achieve your goals.
So get yourself a good pair of shoes and get in touch with your local BeFit Hire agent today to discuss the best treadmill to meet your specific needs.
With more than 50 years of experience in hiring out home exercise equipment, our BeFit Hire agents would be delighted to advise you on the best type of treadmill to help you stay active.
We service all areas of Adelaide, and extensive areas of Melbourne, including the metropolitan area. We also offer flexible options for buying and hiring including casual hire, Hire with the Option to Buy, and new and ex-hire equipment for purchase.
Photos from Shutter Stock
