Are you over 50 and worried about maintaining independence and the increased risk of disease? If so, the simple answer to your concerns could be as simple as keeping fit and living a healthy lifestyle.
Research shows that older people require adequate fitness levels to help them maintain independence, recover from illness and reduce their high risk of disease; yet many over 50’s simply don’t know where to begin - either not having exercised for a long time and not knowing what are safe and beneficial activities to take part in nowadays, or simply because they don’t know where to start!
So here are our top tips for you over 50’s that are ready to start exercising again and take control of those muscles, bones and bodies for a healthier future!
1. Get your heart pumping - to get the true benefit of exercise, those in the over 50’s age group need to ensure they engage in activity that offers genuine cardiovascular benefit. A stroll on the beach is lovely, but a power walk in one direction and a stroll in the other is much more beneficial. Investing in a heart rate monitor can help you identify and measure what current activities you do that get your heart pumping and help you identify new activities that will contribute to your cardiovascular health. Heart rate monitors are a cheap and accessible investment in your health and future!
2. Aim high but start small - common sense suggests that if you’ve not exercised for a while or are trying a new activity, then going easy to begin with will help you build confidence, ability and stamina. Wearing your heart rate monitor as you engage in new activities will help you determine and monitor your success.
3. Choose the right activities - choosing activities that compliment your body’s ability and your interests is crucial to both success and enjoyment in exercise. For example, a recumbent exercise bike puts less strain on your back and arms compared to a traditional exercise bike. You can use a recumbent exercise bike at most gyms or pick one up at any good gym equipment store.
4. Find an exercise partner - if you’ve got a friend or partner that you can exercise with, they can help motivate you to get out there on the days you’re feeling less inclined to do so and keep you company.
5. Don’t be scared to try new things - if you were once a jogger, then why not try power walking in the comfort of your living room using a treadmill?
If your nutrition needs a boost, then consider supplements! Changing you’re old routines and trying new things like supplements can do you no harm - and you might just find it does you the world of good!
Fitness Market has a huge range of exercise and fitness equipment online for over 50s to get into shape and improve their quality of life. Products such as treadmills, rowing machines and recumbent bikes are a great way to get in shape and stay healthy.
Recommended Equipment
- Walking: For walking we recommend a stable walking platform where you can control the pace. Ideally, the ABlaze Flume Treadmill is suitable, affordable and fit for purpose.
- Joint trouble: If you suffer from aching joints, then we recommend a recumbent exercise bike. Recumbent Exercise bikes have large seats, stable step-through frame and handle bars to assist with getting on and off the machine. Ideally, the Sportop RB300 Recumbent Exercise Bike is fit for purpose.
- We also highly recommend you read our article on choosing the correct equipment for your needs.
