Exercise as you age: Aerobics, Yoga, & Tai Chi

As we age, we tend to exercise less. Whether it’s due to injury, fear of hurting ourselves, chronic pain, or you just think exercise isn’t for you, there are lots of reasons to avoid it. However, as we age, exercise becomes even more important. The difference is in how you keep active. While there are hundreds of options, we have a few favourites to share with you:

Aqua Aerobics

Aerobics is a great way to get the heart pumping, but taking to the water makes it better in several ways. Exercising in the water supports the body, so there is less stress on joints and muscles, while also encouraging blood movement. Working out in the water also allows greater range of motion and prevents overheating. For seniors, aqua aerobics are a great way to target many health areas at once in a more supportive environment. Plus, it’s a lot of fun!

Yoga

The benefits of yoga on the mind and body are vastly known. Yoga helps build strength and flexibility, while also focusing on breathing and mindfulness, offering an all-body exercise option. It can also improve balance and strength, perfect for keeping ageing bodies strong. There are many different varieties of yoga and classes aimed at seniors will have adaptations to suit your needs.

Tai Chi

Similar to yoga in that it helps both the mind and the body, Tai Chi is another ancient practice that improves balance, strength, and stress. As a low-intensity martial art, Tai Chi comprises various poses the group must hold, improving mobility and flexibility and encouraging you to focus on the moment.

Walking

While simple, there is a lot to be said for walking and health. Like the other exercises mentioned, walking is low impact, with great benefits. It can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, as well as strengthening bones, reducing blood pressure, and improving your overall mental health.

Exercise can help keep the mind and body young, while also assisting with the management of chronic conditions and there are lots of benefits beyond what we have discussed here. If you want to join a senior exercise class or group to see how it could benefit you, we have several wellness locations in Brisbane and surrounds – take a look and sign up today!

Categorised in: BallyCara Blog

This post was written by Tanya Grimward