Debunking Common Myths About Exercising Among the Elderly

We all know that regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep the body healthy. But if you are pushing 70, working out could be the last thing on your mind. The good news is, you will definitely benefit from working out, no matter your age or physical condition. Even handicapped seniors can work out to keep their bodies fit. In today’s post, we are debunking some of the most common myths about exercising among the elderly:

Myth 1: I don’t need exercise, I’m too old!

Again, no one is too old for exercising. And if you have always felt old, regular exercise will make you feel younger, more active for longer. Any type of rigorous physical exercise does wonders for the body. Exercise helps restore vitality and strength. It keeps the heart and muscles strong, improves flexibility, mobility, and muscle strength.

Exercising regularly is an effective way to reduce the risk of mental diseases including Alzheimer’s and dementia. It protects from chronic diseases including heart disease, diabetes, certain cancers, high blood pressure, and obesity! Even better, regular exercise helps stabilize the mood, especially among people age 70 to 80 years old.

Myth 2: Old people shouldn’t exercise, they should just rest to save their strength.

Wrong! Multiple studies show that a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy for anyone 50 years old and above. Often, inactivity among older adults is the reason why seniors become sick. When you do not engage in any physical activity, your body becomes weaker along with your immune system. It is a fact that a sedentary lifestyle leads to more hospitalizations.

Myth 3: Exercise could lead to accidents

The fact is, any type of activity will increase a person’s risk of accidents. There is just no way to avoid accidents even if you try to save your strength and rest all day! In addition, working out regularly strengthens the bones and the muscles. Exercising improves balance and flexibility so it actually reduces the risk of sustaining injuries from an accident.

Myth 4: I’m too late to start working out.

No one is too old to start working out. Studies show that adults who work out later in life show greater physical and mental improvements compared to their younger counterpart! If you never workout out a day in your lift, now is the perfect time to start.

That said, make sure to develop a fitness routine that suits your physical condition. For instance, if you suffer from joint pain, we recommend trying out gentle, low-impact exercises. Jogging, brisk walking, and running could prove too much for achy joints.

Myth 5: I’m in a wheelchair, I can’t work out while sitting down

Not true, even handicapped seniors can benefit from exercising regularly. You can lift weights, do bits of stretching, and perform aerobics exercises without standing up. You can also perform chair yoga, chair tai chi and flexibility exercises to keep your muscles nice and toned! Most public swimming pools offer access to disabled individuals. Some types of sports program also welcome wheelchair bound participants.