Exercise Tips for Seniors from a 64-Year-Old Trainer

“You do not have to show something to anyone anymore,” Fichtner says of exercising in her sixties. “You do not have to show that you are a badass. It is targeted on feeling good in who you’re.”

“The sweetness that comes with age is we all know what’s proper. We all know what feels good within the physique.” —Liz Fichtner

At present, her exercise routine contains strolling, lifting weights, dancing, doing yoga, or partaking in a wide range of actions that may assist her keep match and cellular far into the long run. However she additionally bears her limits in thoughts.

“I am being true to myself and the place I am at and being blissful within the stage that I am at,” Fichtner says. “I do issues that [make me] really feel pleased with myself, and I can nonetheless extract confidence in who I’m and nonetheless changing into.”

Strive Fichtner’s pre-walking exercise to place your finest foot ahead:

A 64-year-old coach’s train ideas for seniors

Fichtner would not suppose any particular actions or objectives needs to be universally off limits for any person simply because they’re of a sure age. “As a result of there are folks which can be superb that also are doing actually excessive plyometric field jumps at this age,” she factors out.

Nevertheless, the fact of ageing does imply joints are more sensitive, there’s a tendency towards lower muscle mass and bone density, and that the organic elements that contribute to steadiness (similar to imaginative and prescient and the vestibular system) start to decline. So if you’re exercising in your sixties and beyond, you should proceed with just a little extra warning and care than you may need in prior many years. Largely, Fichtner simply thinks that objectives have to be extra individually tailor-made to strengthen your weaknesses, keep away from irritating any accidents, and assist construct up moderately than break down your physique.

“The sweetness that comes with age is we all know what’s proper,” she says. “We all know what feels good within the physique. You simply have to concentrate to it extra.”

What she personally would not do anymore

Right here’s how Fichtner approaches her personal health routine, and the issues she’s stopped doing as a 64-year-old coach.

1. Specializing in only one health modality

As a former aggressive bodybuilder and Tae Kwon Do athlete, Fichtner used to coach intensely in these two modalities. However nowadays, she sees health as a extra holistic pursuit to maintain her physique wholesome. Which means she does a wide range of actions that supply totally different advantages.

“Particularly as you are older, you should suppose comprehensively,” Fichtner says. She does power coaching to keep up muscle and bone density; yoga to assist with mobility, steadiness, and psychological well being; and cardio to maintain her metabolism burning.

Right here, Fichtner shares a few of her favourite morning mobility strikes:

2. Leaping into one thing too shortly

Doing one thing difficult like lifting heavy weights doesn’t need to be a no-go for seniors. However beginning at first, and guaranteeing you’ve good type, are paramount if you attempt any new type of train.

“Begin gentle, actually specializing in the shape and the way your physique feels, after which progressing as soon as you’ll be able to,” Fichtner says. By starting conservatively, you can monitor your enhancements and keep away from harm. “Even at our age, we nonetheless wish to have that feeling of getting higher,” says Fichtner.

3. Spacing out

As we grow old, it solely turns into much more important to maintain our thoughts targeted whereas we’re understanding as a way to keep away from harm. For instance, Fichtner practices good form while walking to verify she’s partaking the proper muscle tissues and avoiding falls.

Mindfulness notably comes into play when she’s working on her balance skills. Not solely does it require focus to remain upright if you’re, say, balancing on one leg. However Fichtner says that each constructing balance-supporting muscle tissues and listening to the place your physique is in area (throughout any exercise) are essential.

“All it takes is one individual to name your identify when you’re balancing, and if you do not have the power round your ankles or above your knees or in your core, you are going to fall after which you are going to break your hip, after which the place will you be?” Fichtner says. “Particularly as I grow old, that is one of many issues the place I wish to mark my progress and really feel actually good about the place I’m—with my steadiness and steadiness work.”

4. Evaluating your self to others (and previous selves)

Health in your sixties is all about assembly your self the place you’re at that second, says Fichtner. Which means not making an attempt to do an exercise simply because another person on the gymnasium is doing it, or as a result of it was one thing you have been capable of do final yr, final month, or final week.

“What I do not do anymore is let my ego in,” Fichtner says. “I like the saying that ‘comparability is a thief of pleasure,’ and so do not examine your self to who you have been. Do not examine to any person else your age doing seemingly ‘higher.’ Simply do not examine.”

As an alternative, take inventory of your achievements, your resolve, and your power. “Do not restrict your self to your age,” Fichtner says. “You continue to have to be a badass in your personal proper.”