Active Aging: 6 of the Best Exercises for Seniors

November 25, 2023

Regular exercise is one of the best ways to ensure we age gracefully! As we get older, our physical demands change and an active lifestyle becomes increasingly important to maintain good health. Exercise has a number of benefits for seniors, including reducing the risk of falls, improving brain function and helping to prevent disease. This doesn’t mean spending hours a week pumping iron in the gym, but rather it can involve some simple low-impact exercises. Here are 6 of the best exercises for seniors:

1. Walking

As simple as it is, walking can be one of the best exercises for seniors! Walking is less strenuous and more accessible than many other workouts while providing many benefits. It can improve heart health, strengthen your bones, joints and muscles, slow cognitive decline and help you live longer. A 10-year study found that adults around 80 years old who walked outdoors for at least 15 minutes, 4 times a week were 40% more likely to survive the length of the study than those who walked less.

2. Wall Push-ups

Strength training as a senior doesn’t require heavy weights or fancy equipment! Wall push-ups involve standing while facing a wall about an arm’s length away, putting your hands on the wall slightly wider than shoulder width and pushing away from the wall while keeping your legs straight. This activity works your biceps, triceps and shoulders, making it one of the best exercises for seniors looking to maintain muscle.

3. Water Aerobics

Water aerobics is the perfect exercise for those dealing with arthritis and joint pain. The water provides a natural resistance that puts less stress on the joints compared to exercises such as lifting heavy weights. It can improve your balance, flexibility and strength in a low-impact manner while also being fun. Water aerobics can include exercises such as leg lifts, arm curls, jogging and flutter kicking.

4. Pilates

Pilates emphasizes breathing, body alignment, concentration and core strength as part of a low-impact, full-body workout. It often involves using equipment such as mats, pilates balls and inflated accessories to improve balance and posture, build muscle strength and increase endurance and flexibility. Pilates can be completed as part of a class or solo at home.

5. Dumbbell Strength Training

The benefits of strength training are endless! It’s known to help improve symptoms of diabetes, back pain, osteoporosis and depression while simultaneously assisting in weight management by boosting metabolism. All you need for some simple strength training exercises are some light dumbbells. Dumbbell workouts allow you to target specific muscle groups, improve balance and increase flexibility without overloading your muscles.

6. Stretching

Daily stretching is a simple workout that is extremely beneficial, making it an easy one to add to your routine! Back stretches, inner thigh stretches, ankle stretches, hamstring stretches, neck stretches and more are a great way to start off your day. Stretching can help improve posture, reduce back pain and arthritis, reduce your risk of falling and give you more energy.

Give some of these best exercises for seniors a try! Are you a senior looking to put your health first? Our supplements focus on a number of different areas of health and are a great addition to your daily routine!