Working Out When You’re Over 50

Exercising at 50-plus Aimed at Keeping Your Weight in Check and Other Reasons to Workout

You have made it to 50 or more and you have probably discovered you’re not as young as you thought you were. As we age, our bodies change but it does not mean we have to stop working out and maintain our health.

If we start with the goal of just keeping our weight in check, our workouts can grow, and morph as needed.  Everyone starts from a different point, but growth is possible. Make your goal and keep it.

The benefits of maintaining a healthy weight are lower your blood pressure and decrease your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.

Inspired to work out and sweat a little?  Ready to embark on a journey of healthy fitness over 50?

Tips for Healthy Fitness Over 50

Now that you are inspired and ready to take the first step, let’s pause a minute and review several tips to remember.  These tips will keep your plan on track and reduce the chances of injury.

Tips to Do

Exercise with a Partner – If you do not have an exercise partner get one. People who workout with other people tend to exercise regularly due to peer pressure and commitment to another person. If your partner is your dog, he/she will love it.

Remember to Stretch Regularly – Tendons thicken and slowly become less elastic as the human body ages. A good strategy to counter this negative reality is to add stretching to your routine.  Additionally, it will assist in the prevention of injury at 50-plus. Our recommendation is to stretch slowly; do not force it by bouncing.

Add Strength Training – Since muscular strength declines with age, strength training is important to maintain strength, bone density assistance, and muscle atrophy prevention.

The Don’t Tips

Start Exercising Without Your Doctor’s Approval – You should consult with your health care provider regarding any underlying potential health risks.

Sign Up for an Expensive Gym – Most are on a budget and with the world we are in today a lot of training can be accomplished at home. Surprisingly, many things you already do can be increased as part of a healthy fitness plan including walking, gardening, and even vacuuming. A low investment in dumbbells and exercise bands will also allow for strength training at home. The limit to your home exercise opportunities is only limited by your imagination.

Focus Just on Cardio – Yes, cardiovascular exercise is very important, but you should not leave out stretching and strength training.  Additionally, core strengthening and balance exercises are good to include in workouts for those over 50, which will help support and protect the spine and may assist in the prevention of falling in the future.

Exercising Over 50 is Just as Important as Was When You Were Younger

Finally, don’t forget to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet highlighting whole foods. With any fitness routine, it’s important to maximize the nutrients in the calories consumed to fuel workouts!

In the words of Michael Jordan, “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.”