| SolveYourProblem
eLearning Series:
I'm an Active Senior
Who Wants To Stay Healthy
( 50 aticles in this series )
Senior
Physical Fitness: Pain = No Gain
5 Ways Seniors Can Enjoy Daily Exercise
First they tell you that you have to exercise at least 90
minutes a day, five days a week, and then they tell you that
it has to hurt. This no pain, no gain mentality is somehow
meant to inspire us to work our bodies so hard that we are
sore and stiff the next day. For seniors who already have pain
that they are trying to heal, the prospect of purposefully
adding more pain makes exercise seem like a bad joke. The idea
that we should feel pain after we exercise may be good for
military boot camps that want to build up soldiers, but as
seniors, there should be a way to work around extreme exercise.
Yoga
Luckily, many doctors and fitness enthusiasts are beginning
to support seniors in the re-done, no pain, no pain attitude.
They are finding that seniors who are expected to add pain
to a lifestyle that may already incorporate chronic pain is
an unreasonable expectation. Yoga, for example, purports that
no one is supposed to feel pain during any of the postures.
In other words, a posture done within a person’s abilities
will not be painful. Activities like walking and dancing are
being suggested as a beneficial, painless way for seniors to
stay fit as well.
Swimming
Swimming is another activity being recommended for no pain,
with gain. Being in the water relieves muscle tension, pain
and swelling from arthritis, and lets the body perform resistance
exercise with little tension on the joints. It is still possible
to overexert you or feel sore the next day, but the water makes
the chances for a successful and painless workout much more
possible. Hospitals have even built swimming pools or co-opted
with gyms for pool use time because swimming is such a painless
way for seniors and those in physical therapy to regain or
grow strength.
Gym
There are a few ways to make sure that you are in the right
environment to engage in a no pain with gain workout. Professional
gyms which have certified instructors are a great place to
start. Senior classes are on gym calendars everywhere. Silver
Sneakers offers classes made specifically for seniors at various
levels of fitness and ability. Many instructors will also offer
modifications for exercises. If the modification information
is not readily available, ask the instructor or fitness manager
for it. As long as your doctor has approved the activity or
class, the instructor should be able to offer ways to keep
pressure off the knees and wrists, or recommend alternate exercises
for those using walkers or wheelchairs. Wellness centers and
weight rooms should have personal trainers on hand that can
recommend the proper weight for circuit training and lifting
weights. If a fitness instructor does not have this information,
then reconsider taking a different class or going to another
gym.
Dancing
Besides finding places which can offer the proper modifications
for their classes and machines, finding something enjoyable
which you like to do and that is physical will also diminish
the pain philosophy from a wellness attitude. If you pick a
physical activity which you consider fun, you are not likely
to associate it with a need to create discomfort. Dancing should
end the night with you feeling rejuvenated and exhausted by
the fun, not the pain, you experienced. The only potential
drawback to doing something that we enjoy is that we tend not
to think directly about how much we are working our bodies
when we feel good. Try to keep tabs on how your body feels
throughout your activity or workout. Remember that you are
going to be the first person who will know when it has been
too much.
Walking
Taking a little walk can do wonders. Not only will it revive
you but may motivate you to continue exercising. As gentle
as the new workouts are, a little soreness can still result
from any physical exertion. Counteracting soreness with some
yoga or stretches will take away some of the kinks, especially
when they are more pronounced in the morning. Drinking plenty
of water before and after a workout also does plenty to keep
sore muscles away. Water helps to breakdown the lactic acid
that builds up as you build muscle. Outside of drinking water,
a relaxing, warm bath can alleviate any soreness until your
body gets accustomed to your new pain-free workout. Click here to discover my current SolveYourProblem recommendation and choice pick for the fastest, easiest and best exercise / fitness solution you'll find anywhere. Get it and reward yourself with more more energy and a healthier life.
# # # # #
by SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
> Home > Healthy
Seniors Articles : Main Page
|
