Functional Fitness for Older Adults
It is a universal truth that humans need exercise for maintaining their optimal health. Take a look in nearly any gym, however, and it is common to see people exercising for a whole host of motivations, including the desire to lose weight, build endurance toward a particular fitness goal, or simply to “look ripped.” Older adults often have an additional motivating factor for working out: maintaining an adequate quality of life. Numerous everyday tasks can become much more difficult for older adults. Getting up from the floor, climbing the stairs, and lifting and carrying heavy things can present challenges as strength and coordination decline. Therefore, the concept of functional training for seniors should incorporate exercises that promote endurance, strength, balance, and flexibility. Ideally, individual exercises can address all four simultaneously. Here are some basic, yet extremely effective functional fitness exercises for older adults. Walking Walking is, without a do