Five Activities And Balance Exercises For Seniors

Senior Balance Exercises And Fitness Workouts

By Suzanne Stoke, Physical Therapist @ Exercise For Balance via www.exerciseforbalance.com

   Combining fitness activities with  senior balance exercises is a winning combination for health and safety for older adults. Please see  http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now These days  it would be difficult to find a senior citizen who does not know that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of a variety of serious ailments. An active lifestyle, however, can become challenging as aging bodies become more susceptible to arthritis, joint pains, and other health problems. To celebrate National Senior Health Fitness Day, Bay Alarm Medical has suggested five activities that seniors may do to exercise easily and safely in their homes.

1) Endurance Aerobic Activities

Endurance, or aerobic activities, increase your breathing and heartbeat, which helps to improve heart and lung health. This can make chores like vacuuming and raking the yard easier to do.

One of the easiest forms of endurance work is brisk walking. If you have balance or joint trouble, start by walking on flat surfaces or indoor at a mall. You can also take exercise classes at your local community or senior center. As much as possible, try to exercise with another person, whether in your home or outside.

2) Strength Training

Strength exercises help build up muscle and bone, counteracting the weakness that can come with aging. Even slight improvements in muscle strength can go a long way in facilitating independence and to be able to do activities like carrying groceries, sweeping, and getting up from a chair.

Seated movements such as toe stands, knee curls, and leg extensions do not require dumbbells. Do strength-training exercises two to three times a week rather than daily, so muscles can recover, and you slowly, safely build intensity.

3) Stretches

As we age, connective tissues become less elastic so stretching is fundamental to maintaining a functioning range of motion. Stretching should not cause pain or serious fatigue. Make sure to warm your muscles briefly prior to stretching. Take in deep breaths in each stretch for up to 60 seconds for maximum benefit and always be aware of the position of your spine.

4) Video Games

Seniors are joining the world of video games and are also a great way to connect with children and grandchildren. With popular video game consoles such as Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinnect, seniors can improve their fitness at home, mixing workouts with fun.

The Wii offers a variety of games such as bowling, tennis, dancing, yoga and more – which are suitable for any age and physical level. Because the games are very interactive and have a realistic feel, playing video games can give the same adrenaline rush as a workout, but in a safer environment.

5) Senior Balance Exercises

Although balancing isn’t an obvious part of exercising, everyday activities require the ability to control your body’s position. From getting out of bed, to walking on an uneven sidewalk, and standing on tiptoes to reach a high shelf, many daily activities involve balance. A few gentle, at-home exercises done daily are essential to enhancing body coordination and decreasing the risk of falling.   Some great balance activities include marching in place and “tightrope” walking – or walking by placing one foot’s heel directly in front of the other foot’s toes. If alone, take precautions to exercise next to a chair or railing that can be used for support

While it may take a while to incorporate a regular exercise routine in your everyday, taking just a few minutes a day to be more active is critical to maintaining a healthy and independent lifestyle. Most importantly, ensure home safety by discussing your exercises and progress with loved ones and doctors, or investing in a medical alert device as a safety measure.

Daily Senior Balance Exercises

   There are a variety of senior balance exercises that can be performed at home.  As an example, there are A few gentle, at-home exercises done daily that are essential to enhancing body coordination and decreasing the risk of falling.   Some great balance activities can include marching in place and “tightrope” or tandem walking – or walking by placing one foot’s heel directly in front of the other foot’s toes. If alone, take precautions to exercise next to a chair or railing that can be used for support. You can practice these equilibrium routines and a series of other senior balance exercises by following the instruction of a knowledgeable physical therapist in the Exercise For Balance DVD.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    To embark on a program of the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The healthcare professional recommended Exercise For Balance DVD is an outstanding educational DVD to use at home or in a group setting. The easy to follow Exercise For Balance DVD comes complete with  a step by step series of top notch balance and strength exercises needed to maximize senior fitness and to perform basic activities like shopping, doing laundry,  walking, standing, cleaning house, stair climbing or to advance to high level activities like skiing, dancing, bocce ball and hiking. In the  comprehensive Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve stability, steadiness techniques and balance routines from a balance instructor --- licensed Physical Therapist---who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 25 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

 Be safe and healthy by starting balance exercises today with the Exercise For Balance DVD to improve balance and prevent falls.
For more information see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health-information/