Aging and Fitness
You may not want to think about it, but getting older happens, and as you age, your body will change. How will you preserve your body and live your best years as your healthiest ones? Nutrition and movement will be key factors.
I‘ve been training my dad for the past year, and as he ages, I like to remind him why he’s working out when he’s at the gym. We watched my nana suffer after being injured due to a fall, partly because of immobility and weakened muscles during her later years.
Strengthening your body to prevent injuries is essential for you, your parents and your grandparents to live your best lives.
Here are 4 benefits to exercising as we age!
1. Exercise to increase bone density. When exercising, you build your bones just like you build muscle. Working out with weights or body weight can prevent your bones from becoming frail as you age, and with exercise, bones become denser and stronger.
2. Exercise to boost metabolism. The more muscle you build, the faster your metabolism, which can help control and maintain your weight.
3. Exercise to build muscle. Muscle building now will help in later years because when you’re stronger, you can prevent falls that may cause future injuries. Improve flexibility as you age to support everyday living, such as picking things up and squatting, without, say, pulling a hamstring. Another advantage of ongoing muscle development may be greater mobility and, ultimately, independence.
4. Exercise to strengthen the core. Waking with back pain or experiencing such discomfort due to slight movement has to be the worst feeling. Strengthening your core — mid to lower back and belly muscles helps stabilize your body and support your spine, which may manage pain as you get older. Along with sits ups and crunches, other exercises help develop this part of the body. Proper core exercises will also help with alignment and posture, which can help keep you upright instead of slumped over!
Instead of dreading the thought of ageing, switch your mentality to becoming stronger mentally and physically through fitness. As we age, we may have more time to work on ourselves, creating the space and energy to work out for prolonged life. Travel, enjoy your family and live your life to its fullest all the way to 101!
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