The new face of fitness over 60
Eager to get fit, but don’t know where to start? The current recommendation for older Australians is to aim for thirty minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity every day, with walking being one of the easiest activities to undertake. However, if putting one foot in front of the other doesn’t rock your socks, consider trying these diverse fitness routines that are good for the body and won’t hurt the hip pocket.
Pickleball
Pickleball is becoming one of the fastest-growing sports globally. It’s a racquet game that combines aspects of table tennis, badminton and tennis. Played on a small court about a third of the size of a tennis court with two or four players, the aim is to hit a hollow plastic ball with holes over the net. It’s a low-impact sport that doesn’t take itself too seriously, and the social element has been one of the main reasons for its growing popularity.
Weight lifting
Weight lifting might not seem like an obvious choice if you’re looking for a good workout, but it is actually a great low-impact exercise for over 60s to try. It helps build bone density and muscle mass at a time in life when these parts of the body are deteriorating. The strength-based activity also boosts your metabolism and is considered a perfect activity for both men and women. Just remember to start slow with low weights.
Walking Football
A growing phenomenon, walking football is a game of soccer with two teams – but the twist is your team concedes a free kick if any member runs, the ball is kept low and no sliding tackles are allowed. The rules have been developed to minimise the risk of injury to older players. There are teams in almost every state, which can be reached via the official Walking Football Federation Australia webpage.
Chair yoga
Yoga continues to gain popularity with the retiree set and it can be easily modified. Growing in popularity for people with increased mobility issues is chair yoga – a gentle style of yoga for seniors where participants sit in a chair for balance and support. It can help with building strength, flexibility and balance, and is a great low-impact activity for those who are less mobile.
Swimming
The advantage of swimming is the exercise is evenly distributed amongst your muscles and body, giving you a full-body workout. Not limited to summer, there are great heated indoor pools where you can soak your bones without having to adjust to temperature changes. Try a variant of traditional lane swimming with a wild swim, join a winter swim club, or give ocean swimming a go.
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