Building a consistent exercise routine can be one of the biggest challenges for older adults. Whether due to physical limitations, nervousness about trying a new activity, or simply a lack of motivation, there are many barriers to staying fit as we age.
Group classes offer a variety
of benefits, as well as a way around some of these common roadblocks. Activities like yoga and dance—both of which are provided at Advanced ADHC—are ideal for older adults who are new to exercise for a couple of reasons:
First, all you
need to participate is your body weight. While there is benefit in resistance training using weights, carrying one’s own body weight is ideal for new exercisers, especially for older people who may have not exercised in a long time.
Secondly, activities like dance and yoga create an engaging opportunity to focus on dynamic, full-body movements to improve coordination and balance. Falls are one of the greatest dangers for older people. Being able to challenge one’s balance and posture in a safe, structured class format results in a much lower chance of falls at home. These activities also encourage seniors to move in ways they might not otherwise consider, giving them a broader range of abilities to stay fit and limber as they age.
Finally, these activities are scalable, which means they can be adapted for people who may not be physically able to stand or move in certain ways. Chair yoga has become immensely popular in recent years for this very reason. Teachers who specialize in working with older adults are trained to offer adapted seated variations to get similar benefits in a safer, more approachable format.
Group fitness is also an opportunity for seniors to socialize and engage with a community, which is crucial for many older people who may become lonely due to a lack of socialization. A class format provides a source of motivation and an opportunity for seniors to know that they are not alone in their journey as new exercisers.
Group classes can be a great entry point for those new to exercise. Classes provide an engaging and challenging environment where seniors can grow and learn together, under the safe guidance of a specially trained instructor.
If you’d like to learn more about safe, medically-sound exercise just for seniors, visit PhysioEd.com and contact Advanced Adult Day Health Care today to learn about our class offerings in person.
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