4 Best Exercise routines for Older People

Tip! Walking is a good way to boost fitness. Start forward by pushing from the heel and then the toes in order to work the calves harder.

For older adults with arthritic joints and the stiffness that goes with it, high impact exercises usually don't work. Because older adults know the value of exercising, they adapt and overcome by doing no impact/low impact workouts.

Four of the top exercises for older adults include: Water Aerobics

Tip! Exercise classes are an excellent way to get into shape. You can find an exercise class that you enjoy, and as a result, you are more likely to continue attending.

Doing aerobics in a pool is probably the most beneficial of them all. Not only can you get a good cardio exercise, but strength building too. By using the natural resistance of water, it is a total body workout that is very joint friendly.

Exercising in an outdoor pool is best as you can also get the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin D with just 5 to 10 minutes of sun exposure. If you are in an area with inclement weather in the winter, find an indoor pool at a local health club, gym or ymca/ywca.

Cycling Whether you cycle indoors on a stationary bike or outdoors, cycling is a good lower body workout. To get the maximum benefit, choose a route with varied terrain. Elliptical Trainer

Tip! When you use wall sits, you can improve the strength of your legs in not time at all. To start, find a clear space of wall that will easily fit the width of your body.

Friendlier on joints than a treadmill, elliptical trainers work both the upper and lower body without the constant joint pounding of running or walking. Most have a variable resistance adjustment so you can get as good of workout as you want. Yoga

Tip! Try to press your tongue against the top of your mouth during crunches. This engages your neck muscles and keeps them aligned properly while you are exercising.

Not only is yoga joint friendly, it actually improves the range-of-motion of joints by increasing their flexibility. This means less pain and stiffness. Plus two other benefits from yoga are increased breathing capacity (meaning you get a better transfer of oxygen in and carbon dioxide out of your blood) and a better outlook on life from the meditation part.

Just be sure to get in a class geared to your age group and physical ability. All of these exercises, except the elliptical trainer, can be done outside where your body can soak up Vitamin D and you can breathe in fresh air.

Tip! When you schedule out your week, add in fitness to your list of things to do. You can combine it with cleaning, if you'd like.

When the weather turns bad, all can be done indoors. Without the sun as an older person, be sure to get the daily recommended dose of Vitamin D from either a multi-vitamin or as a supplement. Vitamin D deficiency is common in older adults. Up to age 70, the daily amount is 600 IU per day; after age 70 it jumps to 800IU.

Tip! If you are a tennis player, train yourself to focus your eyes as quickly as possible. When you play next, get closer up to the net then normal.

Without enough Vitamin D, your body will not be able to make use of the calcium you take in each day, thus increasing your risk of osteoporosis through the loss of bone density.

Tip! You should be sure that you breathe deeply when you run. Exercise increases your body's need for oxygen, so deep breathing will help you to achieve this.

For older adults with arthritic joints and the stiffness that goes with it, high impact exercises usually don't work. Because older adults know the value of exercising, they adapt and overcome by doing no impact/low impact workouts.

Four of the top exercises for older adults include: Not only can you get a good cardio exercise, but strength building too. Exercising in an outdoor pool is best as you can also get the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin D with just 5 to 10 minutes of sun exposure.