STAY FIT OVER 50 - TOP 10 FUN WAYS
For active people, it is very difficult to admit that it's becoming harder and harder to stay active with age. However, there are many ways we can all stay fit over 50 and continue to enjoy an active, healthier life. Here we count down the top ten fun ways to stay fit over 50.
10. Yoga
Yoga works on slow movements and deep breathing. As a result, you increase blood flow and warm up muscles. Holding various positions builds strength and maintains a better sense of balance. Benefits include:
- Improved flexibility
- Stress relief and improved mental health
- Assists in reducing inflammation
- Increased strength
- Improved balance
- Improved cardiovascular functioning
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Improved sleep
9. Dancing
Whether you were a dancing king or queen in the 70s, enjoy a good polka, or have never danced in your life, dancing is a fun way to stay fit. It's all about choosing the music you love and simply moving to the music. Just dance like nobody's watching. You can dance at home alone, throw a dance party with friends or take to the clubs to enjoy this extremely physical and enjoyable form of exercise. Benefits include:
- Improved heart and lung health
- Increased muscular strength
- Improved endurance
- Better motor and aerobic fitness
- Toned, strengthened muscles
- Weight loss and management
- Stronger bones
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Improved agility, balance, and coordination
8. Swimming
Swimming is another great way to get some exercise in without too much pressure and wear and tear on your muscles and bones. If you can't swim, it's never too late to learn. You're sure to find swimming classes at your local recreational center. As well you can also choose to take aqua aerobic classes with many benefits, including:
- Burns more calories than jogging
- Slows down the aging process
- Good exercise for people with asthma
- Activates the muscles
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Gets the blood flowing and heart pumping
7. Running
If you're feeling a lot more enthusiastic about exercise, you can also consider taking up running. Many people discover running later in life and love the challenge of building up their stamina and participating in local marathons. Although running is harder on the body, when done right and using the right shoes, you can really improve your overall health, maintain a healthier weight and look and feel your best. You’ll also:
- Reduce cancer risk
- Keep your mind sharp
- Improve joint health
- Reduce stress
- Enjoy some peace and solitude
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Improve cardio health
6. Hiking
Although you're probably thinking hiking is just walking, there's a little bit more to hiking than meets the eye. When hiking, you're getting into some more challenging paths with more hills and varying levels of exertion. You can explore exciting trails and become more in tune with nature. Benefits of hiking include:
- Good for cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke
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A boost to bone health as a weight-bearing exercise
5. Tennis
Tennis is probably one of the most fun sports out there. It takes some exertion but at the same time, you don't really notice how much you're working because it's just so much fun. You can also choose other racket-related sports like racquetball or squash. All of these activities are also very social, and you'll probably find it's quite addictive. Tennis offers tons of benefits, including:
- Increased aerobic capacities
- Lowered resting heart rate and blood pressure
- Improved metabolic function
- Increased bone density
- Reduced body fat
- Improved muscle tone
- Improved strength and flexibility
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Increased reaction times
4. Kayaking and Canoeing
Getting out on the water kayaking or canoeing is a wonderful way to explore nature and also relax and just take in the beauty around you. It's also something that can be done on urban waterways, so if you live near a river, lake or ocean, you can take to the waters and give yourself a relaxing but surprisingly beneficial workout, including:
- Improved cardiovascular fitness
- Increased muscle strength in the back, arms, shoulders, and chest
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Increased torso and leg strength
3. Walking
No doubt, walking is the most accessible activity for people who are still mobile. It just takes 30 minutes a day to get in a good healthy amount of activity, not to mention take in some fresh air and sunshine. Walking is easy because it doesn't require any equipment and can be done anywhere, anytime. Whether you grab a friend, do it solo, walk in your spare time or enjoy a nice brisk walk on your lunch hour, just pop in some earbuds and head out to enjoy these benefits:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Lose body fat
- Prevent or manage serious conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, etc.
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Strengthen bones and build muscle
- Improve physical endurance
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Increase energy levels
2. Cycling
That brings us to cycling. You'll have to invest in a good bike. But once you've got it, the bike will provide a lifetime of enjoyment. Cycling gives you more staying power and allows you to explore local paths and the great outdoors. You can also start cycling to work if you choose and use your bike to run your daily errands, such as grabbing a bottle of wine for dinner or picking up some groceries. Cycling is also a great thing to do with friends and family and allows you to go further than you would when out walking or running. Cycling also:
- Improves strength and flexibility
- Helps improve coordination and balance
- Provides a multipurpose workout
- Contributes to mental health
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Helps manage conditions like arthritis because it’s low impact
1. Recumbent Trikes
And number one – drum roll, please: The recumbent trike. Trikes offer the best of all worlds when it comes to fun exercise over 50. It has all the same joys that you get from walking and cycling but none of the stress put on your muscles and bones. You get the benefit of aerobics and also increase staying power because of the reclined, comfortable position.
You spread the weight over a larger surface area, so it is a far more comfortable ride than a traditional bike. You also reduce the stress and pressure on your back, shoulders, neck, and wrists. Benefits of the recumbent trike include:
- Improved strength and flexibility
- A good multipurpose workout
- Improved mental health
- Low-impact exercise to manage conditions like arthritis
- Improve cardiovascular fitness
- Strengthen bones and build muscle
- Improve physical endurance
- Reduced body fat
If you’d like more information on recumbent trikes, stop by Laid Back Cycles. We’re here to help explain the benefits and take you out for a spin.
