The Best Workouts for Seniors

Exercise is part of living a long and healthy life – and that means staying fit as you age! There’s no reason for seniors not to enjoy having a healthy, strong body, and the benefits speak for themselves.
Seniors who maintain their fitness:
• More easily maintain a healthy weight
• Report fewer visits to the doctor, hospitalizations and falls
• Usually recover more rapidly from falls, illness or injury
• Suffer less from arthritis, heart disease or diabetes-related issues
• Have lower blood pressure
• Feel less stressed, depressed and are less prone to mood swings
• Often have a more vibrant social life, due to shared activities
What exercises are best suited to seniors?
First, it is important that you speak to your doctor before making any changes to your exercise routine. Generally, seniors can benefit from a combination of exercise and physical activities:
• Physical activities include gardening, walking the dog, hiking, using the stairs rather than the elevator, dancing and other activities that get your body moving.
• Exercises are planned, structured, repeated activities that target specific results. This can include resistance exercises (using weights or stretching, for example) or activities like tai chi, pilates, yoga or aerobics.
If you are unsure what activities or exercises would suit you best, speak to a trainer or therapist who specializes in senior health after consulting your doctor. They will be able to find something that won’t just help you meet your health and fitness goals, but that you’ll find enjoyable, too.
Senior FITness at United Methodist Communities at The Shores
The Shores is part of United Methodist Communities, a network of senior living specializing in high quality support and senior health and wellness. Our commitment is exemplified by our Senior FITness programs. These are designed to improve strength, balance, mobility and cognitive health, and can be customized for seniors from independent living through skilled nursing. Our on-site certified exercise physiologists work with you towards your personal goals.
For additional information about The Shores, call Patti Smith at (609) 399-8505 or visit UMCommunities.org/TheShores.