We’re often asked if just walking isn’t “good enough” for people over 50. The short answer is: Nope. Sorry, but it’s not. Walking IS a great first step – pun intended. So, if you’re thinking of starting an exercise program, then yes – get up and go for a walk. Or, if you’ve already been walking more than normal, then now is the time to take that next step.
Read MoreHere’s a common exercise question, followed by a helpful explanation. “Why do you sometimes have us twist our bodies while we’re also moving forward? Or lift our arms in front while lunging to the side?” You see, fitness isn’t just about doing one thing at a time, like lifting a weight now and then running ahead in a straight line later.
Read MoreTony, a lifelong tennis player, is in his mid-50s now. When he started noticing his game wasn’t as sharp as it used to be, he thought gym workouts might help restore his power and relieve some pain. But the trainer he used ignored Tony’s personal needs and past injuries, even when Tony said he didn’t like certain exercises. “He just kept saying ‘Do it more’ and ‘Try harder,’” Tony says. “I quit going. I just didn’t see the point.”
Read MoreHere’s a gift from the world of science to anyone thinking about whether exercise and aging go together.
If you’re afraid to try strength training, or if you think you’re too old or too banged up or too fragile… well, think again. A new study found that people in their 60s, 70s and beyond can start lifting weights, quickly make significant improvements, and improve their strength, health and mobility. What’s more, the study found that weightlifting is good for people in their 80s and 90s.
Read MoreDo you hear Mother Nature calling?
How can you resist the temptation to get out and enjoy the cooler temps and the mesmerizing transformation of fall foliage? Even if it means a short drive to reach the perfect spot, the rewards of nature are worth it.
But there's more to this than just a visual treat. With a fall hike or even a leisurely stroll outdoors, you get a super-charged workout that doesn't even feel like exercise.
Read MoreWhy should you work out regularly?
For big muscles? To lose weight? To beat your brother-in-law at golf? Sure, all of those are good reasons for some people. But what about working out so you are better prepared for the activities of everyday life, like carrying in groceries and putting them up? Like having the stamina for a busy day of errands and grandkids? Or climbing up and down the stairs without getting winded?
Read MoreHere’s a “good news, bad news” situation. The good news: More people over 65 are exercising than ever before. The bad news: The percentage of mature adults who are physically active remains low – so low, in fact, that the US government calls it a “public health concern.” I couldn’t agree more. I’m doing everything I can to change that here in our community. But we need YOU to make the biggest impact – for yourself and your family.
Read MoreSome people are motivated to get strong and stay fit by one or two reasons. Among the most common for people over 50? Playing with grandkids, traveling, maintaining physical autonomy, and continuing to enjoy their favorite activities. Susan Kupferberg, 65, has all of those and more motivating her quest to get strong and stay fit.
Read MoreFalling is a major fear about growing older – and it’s a leading cause of injury and death among mature adults. It's also a common problem for people who don't yet consider themselves “old” in the traditional sense.
But it is not inevitable. Here are the top five ways to prevent falling, according to fitness, health and aging experts.
After age 50 or so, many people start to gain weight, develop high blood pressure, and become frailer and weaker by the day. Plus, we have universal fears that getting older means we’ll be likely to fall and develop dementia, losing our independence in life. But what if I told you about a miracle drug that would help you lose weight, manage your blood pressure, and improve your bone density and strength? What if this drug also helped prevent falls and memory loss?
Read MoreToo many myths cloud the topics of aging and fitness. They keep people from living a healthy lifestyle, and most come from younger people and society at large. But there’s one super-persistent myth that people over 50 perpetuate themselves. To be more precise, women over 50 use this falsehood too often to avoid the most important type of exercise they need: strength training. “I don’t want to lift weights because I don’t want to get all big and bulky.”
Read MoreTony, a lifelong tennis player, is in his mid-50s now. When he started noticing his game wasn’t as sharp as it used to be, he thought gym workouts might help restore his power and relieve some pain.
Remember in your 20s, when only bodybuilders wanted to lift weights? But now, we know that strength training is essential for all kinds of people over 50 to maintain health, daily function and independence.
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