Move It Or Lose It! Why Staying Active Isn’t Just A Youngster’s Game – Fitness Tips for Seniors

Whether you’re retired, winding back on the ‘9 to 5’, or still clocking up a 40-hour week and lovin’ it – if ‘quality of life’ is your goal, it’s important to keep moving as you mature.

Why? Personal Trainer Jess McLeay shares these four reasons for starters!

Reduce the risk of heart disease

Physical activity helps strengthen your heart and make it more efficient at pumping blood and delivering oxygen to your body. Regular physical activity also boosts ‘good cholesterol’ and reduces the ‘bad cholesterol’. This helps keep your blood flowing smoothly – decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Increase overall strength

Now I’m not just talking about building big muscles here! Whilst a combination of cardio and weight/resistance training will help to increase lean muscle mass, it can also help increase bone density as well as muscle, tendon and ligament strength – plus improve overall joint function. This is particularly beneficial to osteoporosis sufferers.

Boost memory and live longer

There have been several studies done that confirm physical activity provides benefits for memory retention as well as extends your life expectancy. These two go hand-in-hand because, while it’s great to live longer, you also want to be able to remember the good times!

Lose (or maintain) weight

It’s no secret that a consistent exercise program, along with proper nutrition, can help to keep those unwanted kilos at bay. Whether your goal is to lose body fat, or simply maintain your current weight, partaking in regular physical activity –  ideally combined with a mixture of cardio and weight/resistance training – will help you achieve this.

Final note: staying active as you get older doesn’t mean running at the same pace as the ‘20 somethings’ at the gym. Whatever stage you’re at in life, fitness programs should reflect age, ability and aims – and remember, even if you take your foot off the accelerator, you can still build strength and flexibility.

Personal Trainers at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre can help you create and stick to a realistic program that gets results. Join us today!