At 1 On One Fitness, we have the experience in training people who are just starting out, even at a later stage in life. It is NEVER too late to start daily physical activity and exercise, at any age.
Think it’s too late to start getting active? Studies reveal that even those who only start exercising later in life will still reap health benefits. A direct link was found between healthy aging and the amount of physical activity that older people get.
Of course, the sooner one begins incorporating regular exercise into their life, the better. The study also confirms that people who have always been active are more likely to enjoy optimal health well into their later years.
Keeping active can help reduce the risk of heart disease along with many other conditions. Even incorporating what seems like small extra activities such as a brisk walk during a lunch break, parking further away from work or the grocery store and walking can also help. The goal should be to aim for daily exercise and a total of 150 minutes each week. Ideally, the activity should be demanding enough that you feel warmer and are breathing harder than normal.
The many benefits of exercise at any age:
If you’re worried that you won’t have the energy, consider that exercising will actually provide your body with more energy. No matter what your age, a sedentary lifestyle is unhealthy and can even cause older people to lose their independence.
By not being active, seniors are more likely to be hospitalized and to take more prescription medicines which often come with a host of side effects that can have a significant negative impact on quality of life.
As falls are a common problem for older people, being active can help prevent this by improving balance and posture as well as strength, flexibility and coordination.
Depression or sadness is also fairly common among those who are sedentary as physical activity helps to increase the levels of endorphins in the body which are often referred to as “happy hormones.” Studies have found that exercising regularly is often as effective, or even more so, than an anti-depressant – all without the side effects.
