Sometimes, it can seem like for many gyms in Calgary, fitness over fifty isn’t promoted as frequently as programs geared towards younger age sets. There is also a persistent idea that as individuals age, they are less capable of maintaining a tough exercise regimen.
Due to misconceptions around ageing and exercise, many seniors feel that they may have to give up their favourite activities, or that it's "too late" for them to get in shape. However, individuals of all ages are capable of staying active and getting fit. For any age group, a balanced approach to fitness includes resistance training, cardio, and flexibility.
Calgary Fitness over fifty and For Seniors: Add Resistance Training To Your Routine
The benefits of resistance and strength training have been well-documented, but they can be especially beneficial for older adults. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, resistance training is the most important activity for older adults. Some even suggest it can “rewind your biological clock.”
Personal training over 50 can help improve bone mass and density and provide functional strength that helps make all day to day activities and other sporting activities easier. A solid foundation of strength can help you with everything from carrying groceries to hiking or dancing.
Strength training can also:
- Prevent the muscle loss that often comes with ageing
- Aid in lowering blood pressure and risks of certain chronic diseases
- Aid in the rehabilitation from injuries or even surgeries, when supervised by doctors and fitness professionals
- Improve self-confidence and independence in elderly individuals
Use Cardio Strategically
Cardiovascular activity lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity, and can also help prevent osteoporosis. In addition to the physical benefits of cardio, it’s a serious mood-booster! Cardio can often be seen as tedious or repetitive, and some even shy away from it because of the impact that popular cardio activities, such as running, put on the joints. However, there are many cardio activities that are pleasant, have a low impact on joints (or both)! Additionally, cardio activities that are done in groups can be a great way to change up meetups with friends, as well as a way to add a little friendly competition to your workouts!
Ask your personal trainer about cardio activities such as:
- Walking
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Dancing or dance-inspired cardio workouts
- No-impact, martial arts-inspired cardio workouts (such as cardio kickboxing) offered at many Calgary fitness clubs
Don’t Forget Flexibility
Even if you hit the gym regularly, it can be easy to forget about stretching or breeze straight through it. However, introducing mindful stretching into your fitness routine can bring you benefits both in your day to day life as well as in throughout the rest of your workout. Harvard Health notes that a stretched “muscle more easily reaches its full range of motion.” The Sports Injury clinic notes that this can prevent injuries, and prevent Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. Many people also find stretching to be relaxing, stress-relieving, and peaceful.
When it comes to stretching, there are numerous ways to make sure you can work it into your fitness schedule. You can choose from a wide range of activities that focus specifically on stretching. Many find that activities yoga and tai chi are incredibly grounding when done as a main workout. If you're the type who doesn't care for hours of stretching, you can simply add five to seven minutes to your daily workout.
Contact Us
Still trying to find the best Calgary personal trainer? Call us at 403-612-3538 or message or message us today to schedule a no-obligation consultation with Paul to go over your training goals and start your transformation today.
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