The Benefits of Cardio Exercises for Seniors

Cardio exercises have numerous benefits not only on our overall health. With aging, our cell death accelerates, and our health is put at risk.

Regular physical activity helps both our body and mind to stay fit so it is very important for seniors to never stop being physically active.

Read more in this article.

senior on a bike
A senior on a bike; image source: pexels.com

Benefits of cardio exercises for seniors

Some of the greatest benefits of cardio exercises include:

  • Blood pressure control
  • Prevention of obesity
  • Cardiovascular health
  • Osteoporosis prevention
  • Positive impact on joints mobility
  • Stroke and diabetes prevention

Besides these obvious physical effects, exercising has many benefits on person’s mind. It is a great stress relief method, increases serotonin levels which puts us in a good mood, and also helps us make new friends!

If you suffer from some chronic condition, before you start with any physical activity consult your physician. Also when selecting a cardio exercise, start with not-too-demanding regime which can be adjusted according to your specific physical condition.

Some of the best options are yoga, Tai Chi, walking, swimming, and jogging.

Yoga

Yoga is not only a physical exercise but also a philosophy and state of mind. It can be adjusted to accommodate people of all ages and different fitness levels making it a perfect option for seniors who want to start with cardio exercises.

Walking

Walking is a perfect starting point for seniors when it comes to cardio exercises. If done wearing the right shoes (curved, soft and spongy sole) it has a low impact on joints and injuries are easy to avoid. You can start with low intensity on open terrain and gradually work your way up. Pretty soon you will be able to start jogging.

Jogging

Consider jogging as an upgraded version of walking. You can do it outside with a running buddy or in the gym on a treadmill.

In both cases make sure to adjust the pace according to your abilities and keep your pulse below 125-130 if your goal is to burn fat. You can also change terrain and jog up the hill if running on an open terrain becomes easy-breezy to you.

Swimming

Swimming is a perfect cardio exercise especially for people with joint or back problems. It is also convenient for individuals who are struggling to lose weight because it has a low impact on joints.

If you are into group sports, you can give aqua aerobics a shot. It is fun to do and an excellent option for people who do not know how to swim.

Tai Chi

Have you ever seen a group of people slowly waving hands and legs in the park and wondered what the heck are they doing?! They’re performing a Chinese martial art called Tai Chi.

This exercise method has been shown beneficial for people with Parkinson’s, diabetes, and arthritis. It also helps prevent obesity, heart problems, lung disease, osteoporosis, and does wonders for people’s mental health!

Whichever you opt for…

… Cardio exercises are essential for your health at any age, but especially if you are a senior. It helps in osteoporosis, high blood pressure, arthritis, and obesity prevention. If you are suffering from some chronic condition and considering to start exercising, consult with your physician first.

If you are a healthy individual, you can start with walking and slowly build your way up.

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