Older Persons’s Day takes place every year on 1st October. People are living longer than ever before with average life expectancy in the UK rising to 79.4 years, but how can we make sure we stay active and continue to enjoy good quality of life into our golden years?
By keeping active we maintain muscle strength and joint flexibility, as well as keeping blood pressure and cholesterol under control to reduce the risk of stroke, diabetes and heart disease. Exercise can also help with weight loss and improve mood and mental wellbeing too…bonus!
Where do I start?
If you haven’t exercised for years, start slowly – older joints will have a tendency to be stiffer, particularly in the mornings and in cold weather.
Our team at goPhysio in Chandlers Ford and Ampfield Meadows can help by assessing your muscle strength, flexibility and balance and create a tailored individual exercise programme to address these as well as treating any aches and pains you may have.
A gentle stretching routine every morning might be all that’s needed to keep you supple enough to chase after those grandchildren!
Ideas for staying active
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- Walking
- Tai Chi
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Swimming
- Cycling
- Table tennis
- Falls prevention classes/Chair based exercise classes – why not try our specialist Positive Steps classes or Chair Based Pilates. We have a choice of classes throughout the week and they are specifically designed to help maintain and improve strength, balance, flexibility and fitness for those 60+, in a friendly, social and caring environment.
- Dancing – did you know dancing has been shown to reverse signs of aging in the brain and improve mental and physical wellbeing in an older population, it’s even being used to help treat Parkinson’s disease!
How long do I need to keep it up for?
The key is to find something you enjoy, that makes you feel good so that it doesn’t feel like hard work to keep it up indefinitely. Whether that’s a Pilates class, dancing or gardening the most important thing is that you’re getting out there and getting moving!
It often doesn’t take any fancy equipment and there are no requirements for lycra or leotards but all you need is a healthy disregard for the stereotype of age and a little bit of motivation to stay youthful!
If you live in Chandlers Ford, why not come along to a free Positive Steps taster session at goPhysio? Call us on 023 8025 3317 or ask our Reception Team when you’re next in!
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Here’s some common questions we get asked about exercising as you get older.
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Q: What is the best exercise for older adults?
A: The best exercises for older adults are low-impact activities that improve strength, balance, and flexibility – such as walking, swimming, Pilates, and Tai Chi. But what’s important is moving regularly and doing something you enjoy. -
Q: How much exercise should people over 60 do?
A: Current UK guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, plus two sessions of strength or balance exercises. Moderate activity means exercising at a level where your heart rate and breathing are elevated, you start to sweat, but you can still hold a conversation, though you couldn’t sing! Examples include brisk walking, dancing, gardening, or water aerobics. -
Q: Are exercise classes for older people safe?
A: Yes, especially when they are designed for older adults, like our Positive Steps classes at goPhysio in Chandlers Ford or Ampfield Meadows, where we tailor activities to your fitness and health needs.
