Throughout our time in the Calgary fitness industry, our team has maintained that a healthy, active lifestyle can be attained at any age or ability level. Longtime followers might remember our feature on Sam Bryant Junior, a 70-year-old bodybuilder as well as Dame Gillian Lynne, a retired ballerina in her 80s continuing to share the benefits of fitness despite having 2 metal hips and a foot held together by nails.
At Dreambody, we've also regularly features on how some of our favourite celebrities manage to appear decades younger than their age by living a healthy lifestyle.
While these individuals’ fitness feats are incredible, the fact that they can stay active as they age isn’t the exception to a rule. It’s possible for anyone to stay active as they get older, especially with the help of a personal trainer.
Calgary Fitness: For Seniors, The Benefits Of Exercise Are Enormous
No matter your age or fitness level, a regular fitness routine and a healthy diet has a host of benefits.
These Benefits Can Include:
- Reduced risk of illnesses such as cardiovascular disease
- Increased mobility, flexibility, and balance
- Increased sleep
- Increased self-confidence and a boosted, more positive mindset
For older individuals, regular personal training can also include:
- A lower risk of Alzheimer's
- Stronger bones
- The ability to maintain more independence for longer
For Calgary Seniors of All Fitness Levels, Personal Training Can Be Beneficial
At the same time, for many Calgary seniors, fitness regimens may seem daunting for several reasons. This may be due to:
- Frustration that you are no longer as athletic as you were before
- The feeling that you are too old to start exercising or to begin a new sport
- Health barriers such as aches, arthritis, or chronic pain
While these concerns are completely valid, it’s also possible for individuals of all ages and activity levels to reap the benefits of a fitness regimen. A Calgary fitness trainer can assess your current fitness level and design a program that allows you to progress at your own pace. A trained expert is also able to select exercises that give you a workout while avoiding aggravation to any injuries or health conditions that you may have.
Calgary Fitness For Seniors: What Types of Activities Are Best?
As with any age group, including a mix cardio, strength, and flexibility in your fitness program can be highly beneficial. The exact proportion of each type of activity may depend on your unique goals, current fitness level, as well as any special health needs that you may have.
Cardio
Cardio is great for your heart and lungs. For anyone with joint pain, low-impact cardio activities can be the best: these include cycling, swimming, and exercise on certain machines.
Ask Your Personal Trainer About:
- Tai Chi
- Dancing
- Walking
- Cycling
- Swimming
Strength
Strength training is essential to maintaining muscle tone, and can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis by promoting stronger and healthier bones. There are a wide variety of strength training activities available, ranging from classic free weight workouts to routines using bodyweight and resistance.
Ask Your Calgary Fitness Coach About:
- Weight and dumbbell exercises
- Bodyweight exercises
- Resistance training with bands
Flexibility
Flexibility allows you to maintain a wider range of motion and can prevent strain and injury. In addition to stretching during workouts, you may want to look into additional forms of physical activity that promote flexibility.
These can include:
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Tai Chi
By trying out a broad range of activities, you can discover what you enjoy, which can enable your trainer to further tailor and customize your fitness program.
Contact Our Calgary Fitness Experts
For a free consultation with an award-winning, experienced personal trainer, call (403) 612-3538 or fill out the online contact form.