When you hit 50 exercise does not have to take a back seat. In the sixth in our series, Ayesha Muttucumaru asks the pros for tips on being fit and fifty
Getting fit is all about understanding your body’s changing needs and adapting your regime to address them, whatever your age. At this stage exercise starts to play a pivotal role in addressing a multitude of health concerns. Stumped at where to begin? We asked some of the country’s best fitness specialists for their top tips. Read on to see what they recommended…
WHICH EXERCISE?
The main obstacle to fitness as we get older is a lower basal metabolic rate which makes it harder to lose weight. Which factors should be taken into account when modifying your fitness routine? James Osborn, Head of Personal Training at Freedom2Train (www.freedom2train.com), advises: “Recommendations need to be given with the individual’s background in mind. If someone has been active all his or her life, there is no huge need to ‘slow down’ or lower the intensity.”
James recommends:
Resistance-based circuits Add exercises such as squats, lunges, step-ups and press-ups to your workout. This is a highly effective way to raise metabolism, build strong muscles and become leaner.
Interval sessions Incorporate high-intensity bursts of activity into your sessions to rev up your metabolism, improve the body’s muscle-to-fat ratio and boost cardiovascular health.
Long, steady runs, cycling and swimming These exercises are hugely beneficial for the heart and lungs as well as being perfect for those who want to add variety to their workout and provide a less intense alternative for those just starting out. According to James: “Swimming and cycling in particular are extremely good as they are low impact on joints which are often slightly worn, sore or arthritic."
WHICH TYPE OF MOVEMENT?
Linda Taylor, Performance Coach at twenty two training (www.twentytwotraining.com), says: “People should be thinking about the movements that they perform in everyday life such as lifting, reaching, kneeling, getting up and down as well as climbing stairs. They should look to replicate those movements in their training sessions so they become functionality fit for everyday life."
HOW OFTEN?
Rather than a drawing up a strict workout schedule, Linda suggests incorporating exercise into your everyday life where possible. Aim to have around 20-30 minutes of movement a day simply by cycling to work, going for a brisk walk at lunchtime or taking the stairs instead of the lift – all of these will make a big difference.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Always consult a specialist before embarking on a new fitness regime in order to prevent injury. As James warns: “It’s likely that by this age the body will have imbalances, perhaps due to repetitive actions at work, surgery, injury or illnesses. It’s key that any programme takes these into account. These imbalances need to be addressed before the individual can take on more intense sessions such as circuits and interval runs.” Linda emphasises the importance of never forgetting the all-important warm-up and stretch that needs to be done before any exercise, no matter how light the routine.
MENOPAUSE
It is probably the last thing on the mind of any woman going through the menopause, yet exercise is great for alleviating some of the unpleasant side-effects. Linda warns that women are more susceptible to weight gain during this stage because oestrogen levels have fallen and so it is key that good habits are maintained. She recommends a mix of resistance training to improve bone density and aerobic training to help encourage hormone regulation and improve mood. James also recommends high-intensity exercise to relieve tension and anxiety. The rise in oestrogen levels post-workout can also help relieve hot flushes.
JOINT AND MUSCLE PAIN
Strength training and resistance-based exercises are recommended by James to produce more calcium through cells called osteoblasts. Not only will this increase bone density, but it will also make joints stronger and more flexible too.
If you suffer from joint pain or muscle soreness during or post-workout, Linda stresses the importance of carrying on moving, as slowing down or stopping completely can in fact increase painful symptoms. “Reduce any high-impact training such as running or jumping and keep joints mobile in every pain free range, that is every way or direction a joint can move naturally."
ARTHRITIS
James points out that exercise has been shown to relieve arthritis and arthritic symptoms. It prevents joints from becoming too stiff and strengthens muscles around the joints too, giving them more support. He recommends cycling and swimming, as they are lower impact activities and impose less stress on joints.
TO INCREASE MOBILITY
If this is one of your main objectives, Linda advises looking to strengthen and stretch muscles, as the hips and thoracic spine can get easily locked up. She also suggests developing a strong core by doing exercises such as the yoga position the plank and reverse crunches. Performing wall sits, cable pulls and hip extensions will also increase strength and mobility through the hips and core too. She adds: “The body moves in many ways, not just forward and backward, so it’s very important this is considered when exercising. Side lunges are great for encouraging joints to stabilise and support body weight and also improve body awareness.”
SOURCE: getthegloss
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