While the economy is in a recession, the fitness industry is booming. Why? Aging baby boomers are optimistically joining exercise programs in an effort to stave off the effects of aging.
With more and more knowledge showing that exercise can be the fountain of youth, at least 70% baby boomers are shelling out good money on exercise equipment, gym memberships, fitness trainers and instructional videos.
Another reason why baby boomers are able to engage in more fitness programs is the enormous amount of free time they have on their hands.
Many baby boomers are now retiring and have plenty of time to devote to high interval training, running programs, power lifting and yoga.
But I’m too old to exercise?
This exercise excuse seems to never grow old. In the 21st century, fitness is for everyone. In fact, more than 10 million Americans aged 55+ report exercising. All muscles, hearts, tendons and lungs can benefit from some good anaerobic and aerobic exercise.
Research has proven that exercise helps fight many diseases associated with age such as arthritis, osteoporosis and heart disease.
Also, there are many exercises that aging Americans need more than any other Americans, such as strength exercises, flexibility exercises, endurance exercises and stretching exercises. Even at age 60, those engaged in an exercise program can help:
- Increase their strength and range of motion
- Improve balance
- Improve coordination
- Increase circulation and oxygenation throughout the body
- Tone muscles
- Lose weight
- Strengthen bones
Best of all, researchers have found that exercise in any amount helps. Don’t want to exercise for 45 minutes? Exercise for 30 minutes. Does 30 minutes seem too long? Then exercise for 10 minutes.
Even if you hate exercising, these 10 minutes will be over before you know it and the results will last for the rest of your life if you commit to 10 minute exercises a day.
Tips for baby boomers
Most baby boomers should note the following steps before starting an exercise program. Be sure to warm up and stretch before each exercise since cold muscles are more prone to injury, especially with older adults.
Be sure to keep your exercise moderate in the beginning and try to exercise every day. That way, you will not have to do your exercises in intense bursts.
Carefully listen to your body when exercising, integrate new exercises gradually, and only increase the difficulty of your exercises by 10% at a time.
Though anyone can exercise, the longer you’ve spent not exercising, the more care you will have to take when you start up again.
