It is never too late to start getting fit – no matter how old you are, doing something to keep yourself fit is always a great idea.

Especially as we grow older, it is important if not essential to do some form of exercise.

Apart from just keeping you fit there are a host of benefits that come along with fitness such as keeping your blood pressure in check and preventing lifestyle diseases that are common as you get older.

However, it is important to keep a few factors in mind before starting a fitness program, especially if you are older. It is definitely not advisable to wake up one day and start a rigorous exercise routine because this will cause more harm than good.

1. Consult with your doctor

The first and perhaps the most obvious step is to get a go-ahead from your doctor. Consult with your general physician and take his inputs on what kinds of activities are best suited for you and whether it would be productive to go ahead. In case you have any specific problems, make sure you consult the specialist.

 

2. Pick activities that are moderately intense

Unless there are specific instructions from your doctor to perform low intense activities, pick something that is moderately intense. This will help ensure that you see some results and also ensure that you do not over strain yourself to a point of exhaustion. It is definitely not advisable to start with a high intensity program!

 

3. Consistency

The most important thing about picking any fitness program is the consistency . This will definitely give you more results than doing something sporadically!

4. Finding an exercise program with personal attention

Most places do not offer you personalized attention from the get go –whether you are training alone at the gym or working out in a group class, there are times when your trainer is not paying enough attention. Make sure you find a program or hire a personal trainer at least during the initial months to ensure that there are no problems.

 

 

5. Plan your exercise routine to include variety

Make sure you include a good variety of exercises in your workout routine – this is critical especially in case of older adults because you do not want to overwork a particular muscle or not pay attention to one part of your body. Tailor your workout plans in such a way that you get an overall comprehensive workout.

 

References

https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/older_adults/

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/activities-for-the-elderly.aspx