How active are you in your advanced age? Studies from the CDC claim that older adults need about 150 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity every week. Two and a half hours over the course of a week may not sound like much, but exercise classes for seniors are still daunting!
Gainesville is a perfect location for seniors to spend their retirement. The winters are never too cold, the summers are nice and warm, and Gainesville is a bustling town without being too busy. The farther away from the University of Florida you are, the less busy it will get, letting you pick the perfect spot!
If you're curious about fitness over 60, we're here to help. Read on for a quick look at wellness in independent living and how you can stay active.
To start, what are aerobic exercises, and why are they something that favors seniors? According to the Cleveland Clinic, aerobic exercise focuses on using large muscle groups in repetitive motions.
Aerobics exercise is a type of physical exercise that focuses more on continuous, rhythmic movements rather than heavy weight lifting. It includes exercises like:
Aerobics is also perfect for low-impact senior workouts. As we age, it becomes more difficult to perform high-impact workouts that are harder on our bones and joints.
Aerobics exercises are often performed only under your own body weight or movement. There's little strain, which makes it ideal for fitness over 60 and group-focused exercise classes.
Aerobic classes often focus on a group setting, which also provides great benefits for your mental state. Studies show that many seniors feel isolated or lonely in their advanced age, which makes it much tougher to keep their mental health up.
As many as 1 in 3 seniors between the ages of 50 to 80 feel lonely, according to Michigan Medicine. These groups are ideal for stopping that awful sensation. But what group movement for older adults should you expect?
Many of us struggle to stay mobile and standing for long periods of time. Chair Yoga is a perfect exercise class to help battle this.
As the name suggests, chair yoga is simply doing yoga while seated in a chair. Some classes may use floor cushions instead, as they can feel more grounding and comfortable. These often are gentle stretching and relaxation-focused exercises, which are ideal for people with limited mobility.
Resistance bands are large bands that people exercise with, which provide resistance. Sounds simple enough, right? Think of having a giant hair tie or rubber band that you stretch over and over.
It's not so dissimilar to lifting weights without the actual weight. The resistance is customizable, which ensures you won't have to worry about any real weight or damage. Resistance band workouts are perfect for staying active and moving without the high impact of weights.
Tai chi is a meditative exercise that focuses on balance and relaxation. Not so dissimilar from yoga, tai chi focuses on fluid and steady movements rather than poses.
Tai chi is perfect to help improve your balance, which helps you reduce your fall risk. It's also great for people with chronic conditions or a focus on health, as it's extremely easy to customize.
Low-impact exercises make up the bulk of aerobic workouts. These often include arm movements, slow lunges, or bending and stretching.
At first, some of these may feel a little silly. That's part of why we love doing them in exercise classes! If everyone looks silly, then nobody looks silly.
These are ideal workouts for people who are struggling with stiffness and muscle pain. However, some of them are challenging for people with limited mobility.
Thankfully, they're still simple to customize. If you're struggling to complete these low-impact stretches and exercises, simply switch to ones that aren't as challenging! The high customizability of these exercises is part of their popularity.
Aerobic classes are most often held in groups for dozens of reasons, but the simplest is for connection and motivation.
Many of us are more likely to keep to a task if we're part of a community. It's easy to go to one class and think you're done. But when you have a group of friends and peers that are waiting for you to show up, it's easier to stay motivated.
These social interactions are also great for bolstering inclusivity, diversity, and belonging. Exercise classes are the ideal amenity to solve your feelings of isolation!
When it comes to active aging programs, there are plenty of questions to ask. Here are some of the most common questions about exercise classes for seniors.
When you first start aerobic exercises, it's common to struggle at first. That's the case with practically everything in life! Don't take it too seriously, and don't be discouraged by a learning curve.
Personal fitness is something that takes repetition and time. You're expected to struggle at the start, but that doesn't mean give up! Do your best to stick with it, and you'll find even the hardest exercises to come to you naturally.
Aerobic exercises are simple and adaptable. If you want to work out safely, then you can do aerobics alone without impacting the exercises.
Of course, you'll lose the social aspect if you do them alone. You can view our upcoming events to see where you'll go next!
While exercise can feel daunting at first, aerobic exercises are an ideal area to start. Exercise classes for seniors help you with mastering group movement for older adults and designing great low-impact senior workouts. It's the best way to guarantee personal wellness in independent living.
Here at Choreograph Gainesville, we're proud to help provide you with everything you need for your personal health. Your lifestyle will take center stage here, partnered with our blend of comfort, resort-style amenities, and a beautiful social atmosphere. Schedule a tour today to see your new home.