What makes the fitness zone different?

No, you are never too old to exercise!

Physical activity has been shown to be of benefit for individuals of all ages including persons as old as ninety and one hundred years of age. Many people, just like you, are active on a daily basis. You can find a physical activity program that you will enjoy, that will make you feel better, and that will increase your quality of life.

Think about what you like to do in life most and what you hope to gain from being active. A Fitness Zone exercise professional can help you to develop a physical activity program that will help you to achieve these goals.

Yes! Almost everyone can find a safe and effective exercise program tailored towards his or her health status, physical activity goals, and personal preferences.

It is far more risky to your health to be sedentary than it is to begin a program of light-to-moderate intensity physical activity. The greatest risk is that your muscles will be sore in the first few weeks of an exercise program. There are some things that you can do to reduce these risks. Learn to read your body’s signals. On days that your body feels tired or weary – take it easy. On good days, take advantage of your body and enjoy yourself! Once we learn how to read our body’s signals and respect its needs, we get a better sense for how to adjust our activity programs as we grow older. Very few individual will be able to (or would want to) run or dance as energetically in their seventies as they could in their twenties. Many believe that the secret of successful aging is learning how to adjust to changing needs and circumstances while remaining an active and vibrant member of society.

There are many reasons you should build physical activity into your everyday life.

Regular physical activity can help to improve quality of life in old age. Physical activity can help you stay active and engaged with your family and community. It can help you to manage or postpone some of the chronic diseases and conditions many of us have come to expect from old age. Aging does not have to be something that “happens to us” – on the contrary, being physically active can help us to play a more active role in our own aging. Physical activity can help us to live happier, healthier, and more productive lives.

Ideally, you should aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity per week as well as two days per week of resistance exercises. However, start by doing what you can, and gradually look for ways to do more. If you have not been active for a while, start out slowly. After several weeks or months, build up your activities—do them longer and more often. If you need help, a Fitness Zone professional can get you set up for workout routine just for you.

Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for many physical and psychological conditions. Sedentary living is associated with heart disease, obesity, diabetes and many other conditions. Inactivity is also linked to low self-esteem and psychological depression. Regular physical activity can positively influence all of the above conditions. Many studies have shown that activity can also help slow the loss of muscle and bone mass that often occurs with advancing age. In addition to these physical and psychological benefits, physical activity can often have significant social benefits. Many seniors enjoy group exercise programs where they have a chance to interact with fellow exercisers of all ages. Even for those individuals who prefer to be active alone or with a partner, physical activity can help them retain the strength and stamina necessary for playing an active role in everyday life.

There is no single best exercise that works for all older persons.

Depending on how you define it, “old age” can cover as much as a fifty year age span, ranging from 50 to 100 years of age and older. For this reason, it is impossible to recommend single set of activities that is best for all older persons. Some seniors can run marathons or compete in triathlons, whereas others may be more comfortable walking, gardening or doing tai chi. Still others will get their exercise in a chair or in bed! The most important thing is to do regardless of your age is to avoid inactivity. The specific type of physical activity will always vary from person to person. A good idea is to select activities you enjoy. If possible, mixing up activities that promote stamina, strength, flexibility and balance is a good idea. At the Fitness Zone, we are here to help!