Exercising after age 60 - Yes you can!
Why would you consider adding exercise into your life after age 60? After all, you might think exercise is only for body image focused twenty and thirty somethings; or going to the gym has never really appealed to you. I can understand.
You’ve been working for a significant portion of your life. You’re either now retired or about to complete your final years of work. You’ve had enough stresses in your life – juggling family duties, the daily commute and many other conflicting priorities. You can’t wait for the days when you can relax and enjoy all those hobbies, interests and holidays you never had the time for.
Exercise might be the least of your priorities…
However, spare this thought. You’ve had a full life, but what about the years ahead? Are you going to be well enough deep into your pension years? I know of people who never quite reached their pension age. Some are sadly six feet under, some are so shattered with stress after their work years, that their state of health has deteriorated and now they’re spending more time dealing with chronic illness, heart disease etc and frequently visiting GPs’ and hospitals rather than enjoying life.
It seems a shame…
“It’s never too late to start exercising.”
This is why I want to share a great, short article from Professor of Physiotherapy, Julie Broderick. Just click here
She very nicely makes a point that it doesn’t matter what stage of fitness we’re at. You could be an athletic 60+ year old who frequently runs or plays sport; or a 60+ with a chronic health condition, who’s never exercised much, but is looking to reduce the symptoms. There is always something you can do about it and many outcomes from introducing exercise into your life:
reduced disease risks – heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, etc
reduced arthritic symptoms, chronic pain and inflammation
easier movement and suppleness
better brain function and memory
more strength and reduced loss of natural muscle mass and;
increased metabolism and efficient weight management.
I could go on - but if you’re reading this thinking ‘I want to feel great and improve my well-being ’ then help is much closer that you think.
Simple steps if you’re over 60 and new to exercise
Get a check with your doctor. Nine times out of ten they’ll encourage you to exercise, but if you have a chronic condition, you’re on any medications or have had surgery in the last few years, it’s worth double checking that these will not hinder the type of exercise that you hope to do.
Get a health assessment with an exercise professional. This is so important – if you want to feel safe and get a progressive, personalised plan that works for you. We’re specialists for a reason! : ) If you’re a Dorking or Surrey Hills resident – you can always book a free chat and health assessment with me before you embark on your own programme.
Courage! It’s always daunting if you’re starting for the first time and feel anxious, so find an ally who isn’t gruff with you - we won’t bite and we won’t make you do crazy exercises that aren’t meant for you yet! Meet in an environment where you feel safe and ask as many questions as you want.
My final tip – if you like a good read, and want to feel inspired further, get yourself a copy of ‘Age is just a number’ by Charles Eugster. You can also find him on this video here or on TEDx Talks. He significantly changed his fitness levels even after age 85, after realising what was missing from his current programme. His focus wasn’t to live forever, (he lived until age 97) it was to have a better quality of life. But, isn’t that what we could all aspire towards?…
