The Aging Academy
IGA019: Don’t Try this at home – Lee’s tips on exercise for the older person
Summary:
For this episode, Lee stumbles his way through some personal stories as he tries to give advice to an older population on how to exercise. We know that Lee is no wimp in the gym. But how relevant do you think his thoughts on fitness and exercise are to the average person over 60. Hear him express some common sense approaches that should apply to all of us in some manner. Hear him express how he struggles to live by his own good advice.And if you are not yet living an active lifestyle, this episode could give you the insight you need to do just that.
Key Points Mentioned In This Episode:
Lee's super hero fantasies
The benefits of physical activity include:
increased mental capacity, disease prevention, Improved healing, Improved quality of life, Increased balance, Added longevity, Better mood, Improved immune function, Improved bone density, Mental health benefits.
Getting older increases our need for rest between exercise sessions. Working out 6 or 7 days a week becomes too demanding since there isn't enough time for rest. Rest is vital to recover from workouts properly.
We are all individuals and our exercise should be individualized. Our triggers and motivations are all slight different, and our motivations changes as we get older.
Fitness is not a way of life. It IS life. Our fitness determines how much of life we can take in. Our fitness gives us the endurance, strength, balance and flexibility we need to consume life.
In starting an exercise routine, it is best to start off very small (beneath your expectations) and slowly work up beyond this point. The foundation you will build by doing this will be appreciated as you improve.
Four types of exercises:
Cardio, aka cardiovascular exercise, is anything that gets your heart rate up, makes you feel sweaty, and gets more oxygen pumping through your blood.
Strength training is any exercise that helps the different muscles in your body become stronger and more powerful.
Flexibility exercises are designed to increase your range of motion in your joints.
Balance exercises that strengthen the muscles that help keep you upright, including your legs and core.
Research is showing that it is especially important that older people engage in strength training. This is an essential part of any exercise routine older people.
Cardio should be done 3 to 4 times a week
Strength training should be done 2 to 3 times a week. (The audio says 4, but that is not physically practical for more older people.)
A bit of soreness is to be expected after strength training.
It is important that you learn about yourself and you grow in fitness
Links And Resources:
What You Need to Know About Fitness After 60
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Thanks so much for listening! Have some feedback you’d like to share? Leave a note in the comment section below, or you can leave me a message directly to me at Lee@InnerGameOfAging.com
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