Online since 2002 |   866-316-0162

Articles and News

National Senior Health & Fitness Day

National Senior Health & Fitness Day
Kevin Cleary

On May 15 we will celebrate National Senior Health and Fitness Day. This is a good time for our seniors to either continue their goal of living a healthier life or develop and start an exercise program to help build strength, while achieving a healthier lifestyle. This does not necessarily mean you have to join the gym and hit the weights five times a week. Many goals that we set for ourselves along these lines can be achieved in the home, believe it or not. We here at HPFY can help you establish a strength-building or nutritional program that can help you maintain your independence and quality-of-life!!

Workout Benefits to Seniors

Exercise and nutrition can benefit all of us, but seniors may benefit the most by establishing a healthy exercise and nutrition routine. As we have all gotten older, we have all experienced everyday aches and pains that we have attributed to aging. The problem is as we get older these issues to become more pronounced and can truly hinder our enjoyment or even lead to serious injury. Some benefits of a health and fitness program for seniors can include:

  • Lower Risk of Chronic Disease
  • Increase Life Expectancy
  • Energy/Strength
  • Improved Coordination
  • Psychological Benefits

As the saying goes “a rolling stone gathers no moss,” and never has this been truer when spoken about exercise and nutrition in relation to our senior loved ones. To maintain our flexibility and minimize the effects of disorders such as arthritis, it is pivotal that we keep moving our bodies. Start with low-impact exercises or activities (such as yoga) and build to more strenuous fitness programs.

3 Easy Steps to Planning a Workout Routine

As we age (and we all do), it becomes increasingly more important to take care of ourselves. This can include a well-thought-out exercise and nutrition plan. One important aspect that should never be overlooked is a consultation with your doctor to make sure that your plan benefits you and is not out of your ability range. This way any exercise, fitness, or nutrition plan is safe for you to undertake. As with any other treatment, exercise and nutrition is not a one-size-fits-all program. Any undertaking should be tailored to your needs and abilities/limitations. A three-step approach can look something like this:

Start Simple

When undertaking any type of exercise or fitness program, it is crucially important that we start slowly and build towards any goals we have set for ourselves. Let’s face it, a marathon runner doesn’t begin training by running 26 miles. They start with shorter distances, building up to their goal of 26.2 miles. Some great low impact exercise equipment includes:

 

  • CanDo Board-on-Stone Balance Trainer

     As we age our balance can become diminished and can lead to falls and fractures. This trainer improves balance and is ideal for exercises to improve coordination and can be made progressively more difficult as you achieve your set goal.

    Mckesson Geri-Care Joint Health Supplement Strength Tablet

    CanDo Board-on-Stone Balance Trainer

  • Advanced Progressive Resistance Exercise Putty

     This exercise putty allows for infinite levels of progressive resistance and can create a multi-phase resistive strengthening program with just one cup of putty. Designed for all squeezing and strengthening hand exercises, this non-oily, fragrance free exercise putty is available in a regular and large kit. This makes it ideal for home use and for individuals to progress independently.

    Advance Progressive Resistance Exercise Putty
    Advanced Progressive Resistance Exercise Putty

  • Sammons Preston Foam Therapy Rolls 

    These lightweight exerciser rolls are designed to gently apply light pressure to your muscles and can help with neural/muscular flexibility, enhanced balance, and dynamic strengthening. Different sizes allow for all levels of beginners.

    Sammons Preston Foam Therapy Rolls
    Sammons Preston Foam Therapy Rolls

  • CanDo Wrist and Forearm Exerciser 

    The natural aging progress can negatively hinder our dexterity and fine motor skills in our hands. This exerciser allows for repetitive functional movement to strengthen the wrists and forearms in a low impact manner. It is perfect for those getting started in a fitness program since it requires little physical strength to be utilized.

    CanDo Wrist And Forearm Exerciser
    CanDo Wrist and Forearm Exerciser

Set Goals

By setting achievable goals we can see the fruits of our labors without being disappointed due to unrealistic expectations. You should set any targets or goals in smaller increments so that once they are achieved you can progress onto your next set of goals. Not only will this make you healthier, but it will help you stick with your program longer. Once set, you can achieve these goals by using:

 

  • Cuff Wrist and Ankle Weights

     As you progress in your fitness program, these wrist and ankle weights can add additional weight and resistance in order to step up your exercise game. The durable design of these ankle and wrist weights allows for the user to add weight as they achieve their exercise goals during walking or other activities.

    Cuff Wrist And Ankle Weights
    Cuff Wrist and Ankle Weights

  • Power System Leg Speed Builder

     In order to improve your coordination, balance, and speed in your legs, this versatile exercise tubing adds versatility, portability, and resistance to your lower body exercise routine. Its design allows the user to work one or both legs and develops the legs, hips, and glutes.

    Power System Leg Speed Builder
    Power System Leg Speed Builder

  • Sammons Preston Pedal Exerciser

     This portable pedal exerciser has wide legs and rubber feet for a secure workout just about anywhere. It can even be placed on a tabletop for an upper body workout, as well as under your desk at work or at home for a cardiovascular exercise routine. As you progress, simply turn the knob on top to increase resistance and get more out of your workout.

    Sammons Preston Pedal Exerciser
    Sammons Preston Pedal Exerciser

Keep Improving

Once you have achieved a goal, don’t be satisfied. It is only through this dedication that we can improve and get healthier at the same time. Remember, a body in motion tends to stay in motion!! Try some of these bits of training aids in order to push yourself to the next level:

 

Don’t Forget Nutrition

While the focus of May 15 is senior health and fitness, let’s not forget about nutrition as well. Our bodies function optimally when we give them the proper fuel to undertake any type of exercise routine. A balanced diet chock-full of fruits and vegetables, as well as protein, should be your goal while avoiding junk food and sugary snacks. You should still check with your doctor to make sure any diet program or supplement you decide to take is safe for you. Some nutritional supplement options for you include:

This May 15 we celebrate National Senior Health Day and there are a number of ways that we can either start an exercise and nutrition regimen or ways to enhance ones that we are already doing. While exercise and nutrition are vitally important, it is vital that we consult any of our medical professionals (such as doctors) before we begin any exercise or nutritional program. Remember, start slow and build towards your goal, but don’t stop once you hit that goal!!

 

Disclaimer: All content found on our website, including images, videos, infographics and text were created solely for informational purposes. Our content should never be used for the purpose of diagnosis or treatment of any medical conditions. Content shared on our websites is not meant to be used as a substitute for advice from a certified medical professional. Reliance on the information provided on our website as a basis for patient treatment is solely at your own risk. We urge all our customers to always consult a physician or a certified medical professional before trying or using a new medical product.

 


HPFY Kevin Cleary

Kevin Cleary

Kevin Cleary has been a Health Products For You contributor for many years and has a degree in marketing. His health and wellness journey has a very personal meaning and has guided him in his content writing for HPFY.

In 2006, ...

Read More

Trending Articles

What Everyone Should Know About Resistance Band Colors

Kevin Cleary

Resistance exercise bands come in a number of colors and it’s not just for decoration. Many people use these bands however, they do not have the knowledge of the colors and the purpose with which they are designed.

5 Facts about Syringes You Wish You Knew Before

Kevin Cleary

A syringe is a pump consisting of a snugly fit piston(or plunger) within a calibrated glass or plastic cylinder called a barrel.The syringe is equipped with a hypodermic needle, nozzle, or tubing that helps direct the flow of medication.

TOP 5 BEST REVIEWED NEBULIZERS OF 2022

Kevin Cleary

Breathing disorders, such as COPD or asthma, can be a major detriment when it comes to quality-of-life issues.Treating these breathing ailments with medications is the main course of treatment.Being able to deliver aerosol medication directly into the lungs in an expedited fashion is the best way to manage these lung disorders. The use of a nebulizer for aerosol medications allows for the efficient and easy delivery of these medications.

MINERAL OIL VS SALINE ENEMA: WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE?

Kevin Cleary

An enema is used for many reasons.Just as there are many reasons, there are different types of enemas, each of which contains different ingredients and works differently in the body. While some may choose an enema to soften stool or for routine colon cleansing, the reason for using an enema may have more of a medical necessity.

FIVE BEST CERVICAL TRACTION DEVICES OF 2022

Taikhum Sadiq

Cervical traction is a technique applied to the cervical region of the body to help alleviate neck pain, discomfort, and other physical conditions related to the cervical region.Cervical traction works by stressing the neck, pulling, and pushing, thus reducing the pressure on the spine, the neck, and the upper torso.Excessive stress on the neck, spine, and upper region, due to a wide range of conditions or injuries can cause severe pain and can lead to other complications.Cervical traction devices help alleviates these conditions thus offering overall body rehabilitation and treatment options.