Get Your Blood Pumping: The Best Senior Exercises at Home

There’s nothing like the feeling of a good workout. You may be glistening with sweat, but you get to experience an improved mood and strides toward better health. In fact, studies show that physical activity in our older age can help prevent cardiovascular disease, strokes, diabetes and some forms of cancer as well as delay the onset of dementia and improve mental health and overall quality of life. While getting outside for exercise is preferable, the winter season can put a damper on that. So, here are a few indoor exercises for seniors that can help you stay active in the colder months.

6 Exercises for Seniors to Do at Indoors

1. Cycling. Cycling on a stationary bike is a great way to get a low-impact exercise for your cardiovascular heath as well as physical strength. Besides being easy on your joints, cycling can contribute to a healthy heart. During the winter months, you can cycle on your own at the gym or join a class at a local spin studio. If you’d rather just stay at home, you can find stationary bikes at sporting stores.
2. Treadmill walking. If you enjoy brisk walks outside during the warmer months, getting on a treadmill is the perfect alternative when it’s too cold out. You don’t want to accidently slip and fall on ice, and a treadmill is an easy solution prevent that. Try to get 2.5 hours of walking in each week, aiming for 30 minutes at a time.
3. Yoga. Yoga is an easy way to improve balance, protect your joints, strengthen bones and enhance your mood. New to yoga? No need to worry! There are plenty of ways to modify poses to match your comfort level, and you can find numerous beginner-level videos on YouTube that will keep you busy all winter long.
4. Strength-training. Strength-training helps to keep your bones strong, prevents future falls, helps with mobility and reduces arthritic pain. You can start with easy exercises like squats and toe stands and work your way up from there.
5. Balance exercises. Balance is important at all ages, but it can be especially imperative for older adults. There are few simple exercises for you to start with, including balancing on one foot, walking heel to toe and walking in a straight line.
6. Dancing. What’s more fun than dancing? Not only is it an enjoyable exercise, but it can also let you stretch muscles, increase flexibility and get your heart rate up. Put on some of your favorite tunes, clear some space in your living room and swing to the sounds of music.

Discover an Active Lifestyle at Winchester Gardens

At Winchester Gardens, we incorporate our award-winning LivWell program into every aspect of resident’s health. LivWell is much more than just an activity room on campus — it’s focuses on each of the seven points of wellness: intellectual, emotional, social, environmental, spiritual, vocational and physical health. Winchester Gardens provides a multitude of ways to stay fit. Swim laps in our indoor heated pool or join in a Splashercize class. If you prefer to stay dry during your exercise, participate in one of our armchair yoga or tai chi classes. And if you’d rather work out alone, our fitness center is at your disposal.

Contact us today see how you can live a healthy, vibrant life at Winchester Gardens.