Senior woman doing low-impact exercises with her trainer

Best Low-Impact Exercises for Seniors

An important part of aging is being able to stay as independent, active and engaged as possible. This can be accomplished through exercise and focusing on your health. Studies show that we need to get 150 minutes of heart-pumping exercise per week. The good news? These exercises don’t have to be very intense or difficult to perform. In fact, low-impact exercises for seniors tend to work the best and are easier to maintain over time. Better still, low-impact exercises are less risky and have many health benefits, including:

  • Weight control
  • Reduced blood pressure
  • Improved bone health
  • Reduced risk of heart disease
  • Improved balance and stability

For all of these reasons and more, it’s important to try and implement a regular workout routine into your life. Keep reading for some of our favorite low impact exercises.

Some Low Impact Exercises You Should Try

One of the most important goals of low-impact exercises is to make sure your heart rate goes up high enough that you are gaining all the benefits of quality exercise. An easy way to stick to your workout routine and reach your fitness goals is by choosing an activity that feels more like fun than a chore. Get friends involved with you to make it both a social and physical activity as well. Here are some awesome low impact exercises that you should try:

  • Resistance Exercises: Being able to use props like resistance bands, small weights or lighter medicine balls is a great way to increase your strength and mobility. There are plenty of balance exercises that you can do with these props, and they’ll help increase flexibility as well as stability.
  • Swimming and Aqua Classes: Swimming is one of the best workouts for seniors suffering from pain in their back, joints or have problems with stability or quicker movements. The buoyancy of the water makes this a “no-impact” workout. Aqua classes also offer instructed workouts in this environment and can be as active and fun as you’d like. Swimming has also been shown to reduce stress, build endurance, tone muscles and improve cardiovascular fitness.
  • Elliptical and Stationary Bikes: Ellipticals and stationary bikes both offer a great low-impact workout for seniors. They deliver considerably less force and impact on your legs, while still allowing you to sufficiently elevate your heart rate. Go for one of these machines when you feel the need to spice up your routine or are having problems with your joints.
  • Walking: Walking is a great and relaxing way to exercise. Step it up by going at a quick pace or bringing small hand weights or ankle and wrist weights with you. For the lowest impact possible, choose to walk on softer surfaces like grass, dirt or sand. Make sure you have proper walking shoes that will offer comfort and support. This is an easy physical activity that won’t cost anything to do, and that can also be done with loved ones.

How Concordia Promotes Healthy Living

Our welcoming senior living community is filled with a supportive staff that is ready to help meet the needs of all of its residents. We focus on health and wellness and we believe in promoting residents’ overall well-being and helping them achieve an optimal level of health. Contact us today to learn more about the independent living, assisted living and memory care lifestyles at our senior living community.

Health & Aging