Regular exercise will help protect you from chronic disease, improve
your mood and lower your chances of injury. The older you are, the more
you have to gain from exercise. All it takes is 30 minutes a day, 5 days
a week.
Are you one of the many seniors out there who knows you should be
exercising, but you aren’t sure where to begin? Do the tools of fitness
-- exercise bikes, nautilus machines, treadmills, exercise balls and
free weights -- intimidate you? Or maybe you find exercise boring? If
any of the above apply to you, you are not alone. Although many older
people are well aware of the importance of physical fitness, 85% of
seniors do not exercise on a regular basis. Many older people don't
exercise for the same reason that people of all ages resist physical
activity – they think of it as too hard, too boring or they are
disappointed by the lack of immediate results.
If you are finding it hard to get moving, a reminder of the benefits
should spur you to action. Regular physical activity, in addition to
making you look and feel good, lowers your risk for a variety of
conditions, including Alzheimer’s and dementia, heart disease, diabetes,
colon cancer, high blood pressure, and obesity. In fact, exercise and
strength training can help you look and feel younger. According to
Miriam Nelson, a Tufts University scientist and specialist in aging,
“Biologically, we can reverse the aging process by 15 to 25 years. We
can do that by becoming stronger.” Exercise can also help you maintain
your mobility and independence. Regular activity helps keep bones and
muscles strong, promotes good balance and combats frailty.
To find out if Link2Fitness is right for you, ask yourself these questions:
