Are you struggling to get moving or to keep moving? It’s important as we age to make movement a priority. The heat can be a challenge this time of year, especially when you’re looking to remain active!
In the hotter months, look to perform your walks or light jogs in the earlier hours of the day, getting outside before 10am to avoid some extreme heat. If you’re not an early riser, look to be active indoors. Hitting the local gym is a definite plus! For the past 30 years, Performance 360 Health and Fitness has had loads of programs for seniors. Their equipment is safe and easy to use. They have a team of 12+ fitness professionals who can make sure you’re on the right track to meet your goals. They even have equipment to help get your cardio in that is geared toward those who struggle with their knees or hips. There are local walking tracks, or water aerobics at the local YMCA. We have pickle ball located at the Health Plex and we have some amazing tennis courts and golf courses around town.
Having an accountability partner is key! Do you have a friend or spouse looking to get active as well? It’s a great way to motivate each other. If you don’t have someone wanting to start with you, then you can always join a group fitness class to meet other “like-minded” individuals who share your goals in living a healthy lifestyle. Need more of a push? Want to be safe while achieving results? Hire a Personal Trainer! Performance 360 Fitness has several trainers that specialize in Seniors Fitness!
Let’s not forget to keep your mind active. What are you doing to support your brain health? Physical activity is important to maintain a youthful energy, but also focus on what other things you can do to help your mind stay young. Gardening, board games, bingo, puzzles, arts & crafts, and social gatherings to name a few activities.
Why exercise is important.
Studies show that enjoyable fitness activities have several major benefits.
Improve how your brain works.
Do you want to maintain your memory and optimize your ability to learn new things? Engaging in fitness on a regular basis can enhance your creativity and mental sharpness.
Establish or maintain relationships.
A lot of seniors are lonely. Seniors without spouses or partners spend several hours alone each day (sometimes more than half their day). But having fun can enable older adults to make new friends or improve existing relationships.
Improve your mental and physical well-being.
Do you like the way you feel when you have a brighter outlook on life and your sense of time recedes into the background? Engaging in activities you enjoy can expand your optimism, increase your moments of joy, and reduce your stress. It can even help prevent depression.
Extend your life and improve your physical vitality.
Who doesn’t want to feel younger or more energetic? Creating plenty of fun moments in your life can be a good way to boost your immune system, reduce your risk of illness, and minimize your perception of any pain you might already have.
Fitness and physical activity should be a major part of life for everyone. We can all use more joyful experiences, no matter our age! Get moving.
This article was written by:
Jenn Daoust – PTS, FSTS, NWS
Performance 360 Health & Fitness
770 Richmond St Chatham ON
