5 fitness tips for women over 50

Collaborative Post | Staying fit only gets harder the older you grow, yet the benefits of keeping fit are too great to ignore.

Exercising helps you live longer and enjoy a greater quality of life. It also helps you avoid slips, trips, and falls – removing the possible need to instruct personal injury claims lawyers in later years.

So, how do you keep fit after fifty?

We’ve written this article to give you our best advice. Keep reading for five fitness tips for women over fifty

Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash

1. Consult your doctor

When you first start exercising, it’s best to get expert advice. While it isn’t likely that they’ll tell you that you can’t exercise, they can give you insights into the activities and routines that will be most appropriate for you.

This will help you avoid accidentally injuring yourself or aggravating a pre-existing medical condition. For instance, if you suffer from arthritis, your doctor will be able to tell you how you can exercise without aggravating your joints – by using low-impact activities such as swimming or biking, for example.​

2. Make fitness fun

Finding an activity you genuinely enjoy makes staying fit so much easier. Experiment with the different options of exercise, sports, and activities available in your local area, until you find one that suits your preferences.

Consider different forms of aerobic exercise. These include walking, hiking, cycling, dancing, and swimming. You can also use light weights to get a workout, which is stimulating for both your muscles and your aerobic system – especially if you perform exercises in supersets or circuits.

If you’d prefer, you can take up an activity such as yoga, Pilates, or tai chi. While many people don’t see these as exercise in the traditional sense, you’d be surprised at how challenging they can be for your muscles and breathing.

3. Build consistent habits

The goal is to exercise consistently. Yet if you try to do this straight away, you may find yourself sore, tired, and disillusioned. It’s far more sustainable to start small and gradually increase your activity over time.

There are a few ways you progress your exercise. First, you can increase the number of times you exercise in a given week. You can also ramp up the intensity with which you do the exercise or activity. Pick a way of scaling your fitness that works for you.
Make sure you pay special attention to recovery too. Be consistent with hydration and nutrition – and consider trying specific recovery techniques like stretching and myofascial release.​

4. Stay fit with friends

Exercising with others can let you benefit from the insight of others, plus the added social aspect can make staying fit more enjoyable.

Enlisting the help of a personal trainer is a smart move, especially if you’re not confident when you start exercising. They can share their expertise with you, guiding you on the proper biomechanics, intensity, and recovery methods for you to get the best results.
Alternatively, consider taking group classes. This can be more fun than working out on your own. You get to meet new people and spend time with friends, which adds a social aspect that makes keeping fit just as good for your mind as it is for your body.​

5. Enjoy the journey

Exercise is the key to improving your quality of life as you grow older. It keeps your joints mobile, muscles supple, and heart healthy. It can also be a great way to meet new people and participate in activities that bring you joy.
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Start slowly and enjoy the process. You want to continue keeping fit for the rest of your life.


Disclaimer: this is a collaborative post