Exercise is important as we age. It helps to preserve muscle mass, bone density, and joint health, as well as promote longevity. But as a Fox News report explains, if you are not exercising properly, you could be doing more harm than good.
The article points out some common fitness mistakes older adults make and how to avoid them for better workouts.
Mistake #1 – Relying only on cardio. Cardio workouts are great for promoting heart health, but you also want to include strength training. Experts say building muscle helps protect the joints, speeds up metabolism and ensures strength for life. Older adults should strength train at least two days a week using body weight movements, resistance bands, or dumbbells.
Mistake #2 – Skipping warm-ups. This can result in injury. Experts recommend spending five minutes preparing your body for a workout by walking, doing hip openers and shoulder circles, and doing a few bodyweight squats.
Mistake #3 – Forgoing recovery. You need to make sure you are giving your body time to heal. Experts say if you feel sore all the time, you’re not making your body stronger; you’re actually breaking it down. Your recovery plan should include walking, stretching, taking a rest day, and getting quality sleep.
To learn more about senior exercise and wellness, look through some of our other articles on Council of Seniors 365.
And be sure to stop by CouncilofSeniors.com to learn how we’re working to improve the financial well-being of America’s retirees.
