I know what you’re thinking—if you’re over 50 and don’t have a history of physical activity, or even if you’ve just been inactive for a while, then picking up something new can be a little intimidating.
“But what on earth will I do?” is a common question.
Don’t sell yourself short—after all, exercise certainly isn’t rocket science. You’re already equipped with all of the physical tools you need and it won’t take you very long to wrap your head around the activity you’re performing.
So, what are the best exercises for people who are 50 and older? That really depends on who you are and what you like to do. If you’ve never had the slightest inclination to, say, throw on a pair of sneakers and jog around the neighborhood, then obviously that’s unlikely to be a good choice for you. You want something you’re interested in, regardless of whether or not you’ve ever tried it.
Types of Exercises for People Over 50
There are plenty of fun options for people over 50 who are looking to boost their activity levels and take advantage of the many health benefits of exercise. Here are some of my suggestions:
- Tennis: Tennis is a great sport for people 50 and over because it helps improve balance, agility, co-ordination, strength, and cardiovascular fitness. It’s also very accessible because there are plenty of tennis clubs that offer clinics and leagues for every skill level, including beginners.
- Pilates: Pilates is great because it’s low-impact, and emphasizes and improves balance, strength, and flexibility. My mother started doing Pilates at 62 and she’s experienced real benefits. I’d suggest finding a studio to join, because Pilates is best done with an instructor until you’re comfortable with the movements.
- Brisk walks: A brisk walk, especially in the morning, is a great way to get your heart pumping and it provides a number of health benefits. From potential weight loss to improved balance, increased metabolism, better blood flow, and a stronger heart, a brisk walk is some of the best exercise you can get. To get even more benefits, use a field so you can zig-zag. Changing directions quickly can improve agility and balance, which is essential to health as you get older.
Look for activities that improve heart health, agility, balance, and co-ordination. These are the best exercise tips for people over 50. These anti-aging exercises may help prevent injury and illness, and can provide the greatest overall benefit to your daily life!