FITNESS
Time spent now is quality life later.
words by
kerrie-anne wager // anytime fitness angaston & nuriootpa
As we all grow older, the benefits of exercise become more and more important. You’ve heard it time and time again I’m sure. Physical activity and exercise are good for us and where possible, we should aim to make them part of our lives.
In this situation, it’s not about how you look, but about the health benefits associated with exercise and the improvement in mental and physical health. Incorporating exercise into your daily and weekly routine now will help you maintain your independence as you age. And it’s never too late to start…
Some of the main benefits of exercise for aging adults and seniors are as follows.
Social engagement
Let’s face it… Exercise is a lot more approachable when it’s in a fun, social setting. The gym is a great opportunity to meet with a friend or your partner to work out together. Maintaining strong social ties is important as we age to help provide a sense of purpose. It’s also great at keeping those feelings of loneliness and depression away. If you can find a form of exercise that you like, it won’t feel like a hard task for long.
Prevent disease
Regular physical activity helps to prevent many common diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Regular exercise will also improve your overall immune function. Light exercise, such as walking, can assist in preventing diseases in later life.
Improved mental health
Who doesn’t want to feel happier… am I right!
Exercise produces endorphins which makes you feel good. This acts as a stress reliever and simply makes you feel great. Regular exercise also helps to improve sleep and offers improvement for people who suffer from insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns.
Improved cognitive function
It’s never too early to incorporate physical activities into your life. Regular exercise benefit’s cognitive function and many studies suggest it helps to lower the risk of dementia.
Decreased risk of falls
Exercise will improve your strength and flexibility. This leads to an improvement in balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls. As our risk of falling gets higher as we grow older, its vitally important for our sense of independence to feel confident moving around day to day. Anything that can help to avoid a fall in the first place is positive step in the right direction.
The key takeaway here is ‘Exercise is good for you’ and as we grow older, it’s vitally important to build it into your everyday life. If you’re not sure where to start, why not drop by Anytime Fitness Angaston or Nuriootpa for a chat. We welcome the opportunity to assist you with your fitness journey.
Kerrie-Anne Wager
ANYTIME FITNESS ANGASTON & NURIOOTPA
If you have any questions you would like answered, feel free to leave a comment online on the Barossa Mag’s website. If you prefer a chat face-to-face, drop in and say ‘Hi’ at one of our gyms.
Happy exercising!