Exercise of the Month - July 2009
Top 5 Boomer Workouts:
1. Cardio
Basically anything that uses your full body to get your heart pumping.
At least 30 minutes of moderate cardio exercise a day
This includes brisk walking, running, swimming, biking, or exercise videos
If you don't have time in your day for the full 30 minutes, try three 10 minute bouts of exercise throughout the day
As we get older the muscles are getting smaller and losing the ability to contract. This can be changed by strength training. Mature adults also have higher fat content. There is more diabetes due to lower muscle mass, so strength training is essential to regulate glucose metabolism.
Work those muscles twice a week for 30 to 45 minutes by doing exercises such as:
Pushups (if you're a beginner, do them against a wall to start)
Using a resistance band which is light weight and inexpensive
Bicep curls and tricep extensions
Modified squats and lunges which works many muscles at once
And make sure you leave 24 to 48 hours between strength training because your muscles need time to bounce back and rest. You don't want overuse injuries.
With reduced flexibility people tend to lose their ability to balance because there are changes in connective tissues in the body. Regular stretching can help, even as little as five to 10 minutes a day.
To start the day, try some head circles and stretching in the shower
At the end of day, stretch calf muscles and hamstrings
4. Balance training
A loss of balance occurs in older adults, which results in more falls, so balance training is important for both health and safety.
You can do this standing in line at the grocery store
Stand on one leg and see if you can let go of the shopping cart
Hold for about 10 seconds
Also try standing on your tippy-toes and holding for a few seconds
Balance should be done everyday all you need is two to three minutes
The older we get, the less we use (and sometimes consciously avoid using) the abs, which can result in a bad back. Core training is important for supporting your upper torso.
Try a few minutes of abdominal exercises
Reverse curl while you're lying in back and pull your knees into you
Hold for five seconds and release
Start with 10 reps a day and work your way higher
Crunches are key not full sit-ups because some people can do more damage than good
Keep back on the floor and don't go all the way up
Really concentrate so you can feel you're abdominal wall contracting
This will help support your back