After the age of 60, exercise becomes more important than it has ever been, to prioritise ‘health span’ and functionality.
Scroll down for our four-step guide to exercising over 60.
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Four tips for exercising over age 60.
Lift something heavy.
The biggest predictor of our ability to maintain function later in life is strength. If we have strong muscles, we can lift grandkids, garden, open jars, carry shopping, and hundreds of others things we need strength for.
Do something fast.
It’s common knowledge that we lose strength as we age. What isn’t as well known is that it’s a certain type of strength. The biggest thing we lose is our ability to move quickly. Your exercise program should include power exercises to ensure we maintain balance, can avoid trips and falls, play with kids and pets and walk on uneven ground.
Lift your own body.
Sure, it’s important to lift weights, but you should also lift yourself. Being able to move your own body around is vital to be able to get off the floor, stand up from a low chair or couch, hang out the washing, climb ladders, and loads of other activities of daily living.
Get your heart pumping.
It’s important to do exercise to make you ‘huff and puff’. By getting your heart and lungs working, you’re improving your ability to walk or hike, climb hills or stairs, cycle, clean the house, walk the dog and play with kids.