Inclement weather can put a crimp in outdoor exercise plans all year-round. Not many people enjoy taking their morning power walk in the snow or riding their bike in the rain. Temperature can also put a damper on popular fitness activities. Summer’s heat and humidity or extreme cold in the winter can even make it unsafe, especially for seniors.
One way to get a workout in, no matter the weather, is to create a list of indoor fitness activities. These can include exercises the grandchildren might enjoy doing with you. The following ideas are some to consider.
How to Work Out Inside All Year Long
- Practice tai chi: Tai chi is an ancient form of Chinese martial arts. It helps improve core strength, while also building endurance and flexibility. Each of these benefits are linked to fewer falls, a hazard for which older adults are at increased risk. Falls are the leading cause of serious and fatal injuries among seniors. The Arthritis Foundation offers free tai chi resources you can use to get started.
- Incorporate strength and resistance training: Decline in muscle mass is another reality of aging. The condition is known as sarcopenia and actually begins in your 30s. Incorporating resistance and strength training into your fitness plan a few days a week can help prevent it. Fortunately, it’s easy and inexpensive to do. Resistance bands and light weights allow you to start slowly and build up as you get stronger. Throw on some fun music, and this becomes an activity all ages can have fun doing!
- Include low-impact aerobics: Your cardiovascular system will appreciate your working aerobic exercise into your fitness program. And your joints will be happier if you keep those activities low impact. A stationary bike or a treadmill are two options. You can also find free videos online that allow you to work out from a seated position. For example, the Senior Fitness: Seated Cardio Exercises is part of a YouTube series that has earned rave reviews from older adults.
- Try gentle forms of fitness: Don’t overlook the health benefits of fitness activities that calm the spirit, encourage good breathing, and improve posture. Yoga and Pilates are two of the most popular workouts. Both allow you to build core strength and stamina, while also getting in beneficial stretching. If you aren’t as flexible as you used to be or if you struggle with mobility, evidence shows practicing either of these from a seated position is just as beneficial as the original exercises. These regimens are also great forms of lifelong fitness for children to master at a young age.
Staying Active and Fit at Sunrise
In Sunrise communities, we make it easy for residents to stay active every day. Our group fitness activities give residents a wide range of options for staying fit. Find a Sunrise community near you to learn more and join us for a class.