More than 30 percent of senior citizens aged 65 or older do not take part in physical exercise, according to America’s Health Rankings. Senior weight training at an assisted living center can be a valuable benefit to your workout routine and your overall health. It’s important to add exercise for seniors, regardless of your age. The benefits of a workout routine involving senior weight training include building muscle, improving your balance, speeding up your metabolism, and helping you to lose weight. Moreover, it will help to lower your blood pressure. Here’s more on the benefits of senior weight training at a senior living center.
Building Muscle
When you lift weights, it helps you build muscle. A few minutes per session a few times each week helps rebuild the muscles in your arms, legs, back, and other body parts. Even the lightest of weights can help you build muscle. Don’t think you must pick 25 or 35-pound weights to improve! Even just a few pounds of weight can do the trick. You’ll gain the muscle you’ll need in just a short period! It will also make other workout routines easier. Building muscle when you lift weights at a senior living or assisted living center will help you get out of a chair or bed better. You’ll be more comfortable doing activities because you will feel stronger. Moreover, you won’t tire as quickly.
Improve Your Balance
As you age, balance becomes an issue. According to Health in Aging, one-third of people aged 65 or older and one-fourth of people aged 75 or older fall yearly. Many of these falls are linked to balance issues. Falls can cause a whole range of injuries and lengthy recovery times. A broken hip or leg can cause multiple complications – you might not even recover to full strength. Senior weight training helps protect your joints from injury. When you lift weights, it strengthens your core muscles and helps your posture. You’ll have better control of your body. You will also rely less on the assistance of canes, walkers, and even wheelchairs to get down hallways or the bathroom. Soon, you’ll lean less on handrails or furniture to keep your balance. Furthermore, better balance means you will have better confidence.
Speed Your Metabolism
Senior strength training burns calories during a workout routine. Once your senior strength workout starts at your assisted living center, you’ll continue to burn calories. Weight training at a senior living center also increases lean muscle mass. Lean muscle mass is more metabolically active than fat. A faster metabolism might also help keep your activity level up as you build your senior strength!
Lose Weight
Obesity is an epidemic in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control, with more than 40 percent of Americans considered obese. Obesity costs the healthcare system more than 170 billion dollars annually. Exercise for seniors by lifting weights can help reduce the number of overweight Americans, especially with a proper diet. Weightlifting burns calories. The more calories you burn, the more weight you lose! Losing weight helps to improve your self-image and confidence. Your clothes will fit better, and you will move with ease. There’s an old saying, ‘You can’t out-train a bad diet.’ You can exercise all you want, but if you’re still cheating with fast food or unhealthy choices, you won’t make any progress. Talk with someone at the senior living center about eating healthy. It’s possible they can develop a special diet for you.
Lower Blood Pressure
As we age, our blood pressure rises. Many people can control high blood pressure without taking medication. The heart is a muscle. When you exercise your heart muscle, your heart gets stronger. Exercise for seniors will help lower your blood pressure and improve your cardiovascular health. High blood pressure can lead to heart attack or stroke. If you lower your blood pressure with exercise for seniors, you could lessen the amount of blood pressure medication you take.
Lower Diabetes
Exercise will help to control your weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure, but it also helps to maintain insulin levels. Exercise lowers your glucose levels and increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin. Your blood sugar will be higher several hours after eating. Many experts suggest that’s the best time to exercise.
Improve Memory
A recent article in Neuroscience News found that resistance training helps with memory care in an aging population. Moreover, it also serves as a cost-effective treatment for those with memory care issues. Weight training reduces the formation of a certain plaque critical to those with Alzheimer’s disease. It also helps with stimulating the nervous system. Making the same motion repeatedly daily will also help your memory. The instructor at the senior living center may use repeated workouts to help you remember the exercise routine.
Improve Range of Motion
Picking weights off the floor or from a rack isn’t the only thing you will do. A trainer will help you with various movements – even at a light weight – to help with your overall range of motion. Weights target specific areas of the body. You can build arm and leg strength or the muscles in your back. All of these things can help with moving better. You will soon reach those items on a shelf or the floor much easier.
Combat Cancer
Weight training slows the growth of cancer cells. Increased muscle strength reduces fatigue and rebuilds muscle from any post-surgical procedure.
Weight Training at a Senior Living Center
Weight training at a senior living center has many benefits, including building muscle, improving your balance, speeding up your metabolism, and helping you to lose weight. Moreover, it will help to lower your blood pressure and diabetes. Weight training also helps improve your memory and increase your range of motion. It will also help you fight cancer. Let us show you how Inspired Living can improve your life. Our state-of-the-art facilities offer excellent meals, activities, and a lifestyle you can afford in one of the best spots in the U.S. The professional team will consider your medical needs and ensure a long and healthy life!
