Are you aiming for a fitter, healthier you?
Where do you start?
Are you too old to start a new hobby or exercise?
Good news! For most people, exercise has benefits at any age. Plus, if the intensity is correct for your current level of fitness it’s never too late to start!
The truth about exercise and ageing.
The NHS recommends that people aged 65 and older, with no health problems that prevent them from exercise, do both aerobic exercise and strength training. Aerobic training is any activity that gets you out of breath so things like brisk walking or swimming. Strength training is anything that works the major muscles of the body.
Suitable strength training can be done in a gym, in a class or at home with or without equipment. Even activities like gardening or carrying heavy shopping bags can count as strength training. The recommendation is to do at least eight repetitions of strength exercises such as lifting light weights, and this should be done at least twice weekly.
The benefits of exercise for people over 65 include reducing pain and preventing lots of health problems. Exercise is good for the heart and lungs as well as reducing some problems with joints. Exercise is surprisingly a recommended treatment for osteoarthritis. Strength-based exercise has been shown to improve mobility and quality of life and may even prevent falls.
The take-home message is we can all take steps to improve our fitness. There are some great local classes for all levels of ability starting at chair-based Pilates all the way through to weightlifting.
if you are not sure where to start or would like some advice or an assessment prior to starting a new exercise program feel free to get in touch with the clinic.
This summary was produced by Andrew MacMillan, a registered Osteopath who was part of the team at Shefford Osteopathic Clinic.