Home
Blog
Live
How to Exercise for Healthy Aging

How to Exercise for Healthy Aging

No matter what our backgrounds, hobbies, occupations, or habits, we all have one thing in common—each day, we get a little older. None of us is immune to the aging process. But those of us who exercise may have some advantages. After all, regular exercise is one of the most powerful things we can do at any age to promote healthy aging.

Think of the women you know who are aging well. Chances are, they aren’t sedentary. In fact, they are probably always on the go. While the main goal used to be to “age gracefully,” the modern-day take on aging adds a more proactive spin. ‘Healthy aging’ is the hot phrase these days, and it means embracing health opportunities that enhance quality of life as you age. One of the key elements of healthy aging is physical fitness and to support this, Curves women’s gym offers the perfect full body workout for women who refuse to take the aging process lying down.

What is healthy aging?

According to the World Health Organization, healthy aging is “the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age.” The term “healthy aging” includes a variety of aspects, including mental health, healthy eating, and social interaction. It also revolves around physical activity to enrich quality of life.¹ Truth is, many older people—both male and female—fail to engage in healthy aging. By age 75, one in three men and one in two women engage in no physical activity at all. But regular exercise can make the difference between aging in a healthy way and aging way too fast.²

That is why finding an enjoyable program that promotes fitness for women over 50—a total body workout such as the Curves Circuit or MyCurves On Demand—is so critical.

Why does healthy aging matter?

Women live longer than men, but women’s health is less prioritized, which makes us more likely, in some cases, to develop health problems as we age. As such, we need to be our own advocates and do what we can to engage in healthy aging. There are several reasons aging in a healthy way is important.

For one, fitness for women over 50 increases longevity and independence as you age. A regular workout for women like the Curves Circuit or MyCurves On Demand will help you do more on your own and prevent falls and broken bones.2

And a regular total body workout helps prevent chronic conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.2 Prioritizing your health can boost physical and mental health, which reduces your chances of developing a chronic disease.

Unfortunately, many women fail to work out past a certain age. “Exercises for older people aren’t effective.” “Senior exercise programs are boring,” or “the gym and older adults don’t mix” are some of the excuses women give. However, these statements could not be further from the truth. If you want to stay fit and healthy as you age, you must engage in some sort of a regular workout plan. Even if you’ve never exercised a day in your life, you can still benefit from adding exercise to your daily routine. And now is a good time to start. Here are some tips on the best ways to exercise for aging healthily:

Recognize the benefits of exercising as you age

The reasons exercise and aging should go hand in hand are plenty. In general, people who are physically active age more slowly than those who are sedentary.³ Exercise for older people also helps prevent anxiety and depression, and it lowers risk for chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Not to mention the wonders exercise does for weight control.⁴

Get a baseline checkup

If you haven’t been active, see your health care provider for a physical before you engage in a new workout routine. In most cases, exercise for older women is a good idea, but there are some health conditions that may put parameters on your full body workout. Talk to your health care provider about the type of exercise you plan to start, and how often you want to engage in your workout plan.⁵

Test your strength

The best exercise includes strength training. As you age, you lose muscle. In fact, starting at age 30, you lose between 3 and 5 percent of your muscle mass in each decade that follows. The good news is, you can preserve some of it by keeping your muscles challenged and strong.⁶ Regular strength training helps tone and strengthen your muscles, which keeps you more physically fit and independent. Maintaining muscle strength also improves balance and reduces the risk of falls—one of the leading causes of injuries for seniors.⁷

Mix up your senior exercise routine

The best exercise for women is a workout that targets muscle strength, cardiovascular health, balance, and flexibility. So, for the sake of aging healthily, try to engage in a mix of Curves circuit strength training combined with Curves classes—Body Basics, Boxing, Balance, and Cardio. To really keep your body challenged, try doing something slightly different with your exercise routine each day of the week. For example, the Curves circuit and then a little tennis one day, a MyCurves On Demand Cardio class and walking with a friend the next, a Curves Boxing class the day after. By varying your exercise, you’ll keep your body younger.⁸

Keep it social

One of the best ways to stay sharp, healthy, and engaged as you age is by nurturing your social network. In one study done by the American Psychological Association, researchers found older adults who had small, tightly knit face-to-face social networks had the greatest wellbeing.⁹ And what’s more tightly knit than a workout crew at your women’s fitness club? To strengthen your social network and your muscles at the same time, choose an exercise for older women you can do alongside supportive ladies who know exactly what you are going through. Not only will your workout friends motivate you, they will keep you accountable for your workout routine.

Go for your goals

Never let your age stop you from pursuing your dreams of a strong, healthy body. And remember, incorporating the right exercises for your fitness level is crucial in making the workout achievable and fun! Regular workouts make it easier to participate in activities you’ve always wanted to do. Want to run a 5K? Now is a perfect time to get your body prepared! Want to hike a steep mountain? Go for it! A key to healthy aging is to stay open minded and hungry for new challenges and experiences.

How Curves Can Help with Healthy Aging

Curves is the perfect solution for women looking to take charge of their health and the aging process. There are a broad range of programs at Curves. These include traditional brick-and-mortar locations and in-person cardio and strength training for women; the Health and Wellness Education Series; and the Nutrition and Weight Loss Management program. If you want to practice healthy aging, look no further than Curves. Here’s a closer look at the ways Curves supports healthy aging for women:

Fitness for women over 50

At Curves, we specialize in full body workouts for women. With the assistance of a Curves Coach, the Curves workout for women can help you get the weekly exercise you need to be your most vibrant self. The Curves total body workout combines strength training for women, balance, and cardio to promote healthy aging in every way. Strength training at Curves or with MyCurves on Demand, will help you stay active with other exercises you enjoy, such as biking, swimming, kayaking, hiking, and walking with friends.

Healthy eating plan

Curves Nutrition and Weight Management program is designed to help women over 50 get the balanced nutrition they need. When it comes to aging gracefully, you should eat a combination of fresh fruits and vegetables; whole grains; low-fat dairy; healthy fats; and lean proteins. You should also stay away from processed foods, salt, refined sugar, and unhealthy, saturated fats. The Curves Nutrition and Weight Management program gives you the advice and guidance you need.

Better quality of life

In addition to being a leader in healthy eating and fitness for women over 50, Curves also helps members boost mental health and live a stronger, healthier life overall. One of the most important ways Curves does this is by fostering social relationships between Curves members, as well as between members and the employees at Curves. Whether you’re having trouble with fitness motivation or struggling with a weight loss plateau, the support you get from your Curves community and Curves coach will help you be your strongest, most confident self—at any age.

Lean on your coach

If you choose Curves for your healthy aging workout, you’ll get one-on-one training and exercise advice to ensure you are using the proper form and engaging in a safe, effective, full body workout as you age. Your coach can help you target your moves to your individual needs and guide you through your routine, to help prevent burnout and injury.¹⁰

There may not be a fountain of youth, but a key secret to aging healthily lies just on the other side of Curves’ front door. By engaging in a complete, social, full body workout that works your muscles and helps improve your cardiovascular health, you can live stronger and happier!

Your Curves Coach is there to lead you through every gym workout. With your Curves Coach success is within reach. Visit ‘Why Curves‘ to find out more about Curves women’s only gyms and our full body workout on the Curves Circuit, or find your local Curves and sign up today! Find your local Curves here!

References: