Personalized Fitness For Women Over 60
70, 80, and 90 are milestone birthdays and something to be proud of, yet I’ve heard many women say things like, “I don’t want to have a party to celebrate getting old!”
My feeling is that we absolutely should celebrate!
Not just because we’ve managed to live that long, but because in living that long, we have gained wisdom and resilience, and we know ourselves better now. We know what we want and why!
However, having lived this long also means that our bodies have changed.
We may have a slower metabolism, less muscle strength, more stiffness, and maybe a few extra pounds. We may also have knees, hips, or backs that complain a bit more than they used to.
This fact means physical activity becomes even more important.
Muscular strength is an essential component of healthy aging. Staying active can help us maintain our independence, support our bones and joints, improve balance, and keep doing the things we enjoy.
But here’s the important question:
What Is the Right Exercise as We Get Older?
That depends.
My first questions are always:
Do you like to dance?
Do you enjoy walking?
Would you rather exercise alone or with other people?
Would you enjoy a Yoga or Pilates class?
What is YOUR fun type of exercise?
These are the questions we need to ask in order to figure out the best, sustainable exercise program for each of us at our current physical ability.
This is why personalized fitness is the way to go!
When we enjoy something, we are far more likely to continue doing it.
And consistency is much more important than choosing an exercise program that looks impressive but makes us miserable.
Why Personalized Fitness for Women Over 60 Matters
One of the biggest mistakes I see is women comparing what they can do today with what they could do 20 or 30 years ago, but our bodies have changed.
Maybe your knees don’t like deep squats.
Maybe getting up and down from the floor is difficult.
Maybe you’re worried that exercising will make your back pain worse.
That is exactly where modifications come in.
My Yoga and Pilates classes are designed for different levels of flexibility and strength, with modifications for different abilities.
If an exercise doesn’t feel right for your knees, hips, shoulders, or back, there is always another way to do it.
For example, push-ups can be done on the floor, against a wall, or at a kitchen counter. Each version builds upper body strength.
You don’t have to do a “military push-up!
You simply need exercise that works for the body you have now.
Building Muscle Becomes Even More Important With Age
Muscle loss happens naturally as we get older, which makes strength training increasingly important.
Strong muscles help support our joints and bones. They also help with everyday activities such as carrying groceries, climbing stairs, getting out of a chair, gardening, or getting up from the floor.
Strength also supports something most of us value more and more as we age:
Independence.
The goal isn’t necessarily to have sculpted arms or lift heavy weights.
The goal is to stay strong enough to live the life you want.
Don’t Forget the Social Side of Exercise
Group physical activity has another benefit that you may not have thought about.
Connection.
Many of us are retired and no longer interacting with coworkers every day. That means we need to find other ways to stay socially connected to keep our brains fit too.
Why not combine physical exercise and social connection?
Yoga or Pilates classes can do exactly that.
My classes are hybrid, so you can come in person if you live in the area, or join us from home in your pajamas via Zoom!
I open my classes a few minutes early so everyone can chat before we begin. We also take a few minutes at the end for socializing.
Some of my classes also get together at a café or have a potluck several times a year.
Over time, we’ve become a supportive, caring group of like-minded people.
New to Exercise Classes?
If you haven’t exercised in a while, joining a class can feel intimidating.
You may wonder whether you’ll be able to keep up.
You may worry that everyone else will know what they’re doing.
Or you may be concerned about an old injury.
No worries.
You can schedule a private session before joining a class so you can learn the exercises, ask questions, and find out which modifications work best for you.
That can help you feel much more confident before you begin.
Personalized fitness for women over 60 is the way to go!
The best exercise program is the one that fits your body, your abilities, and your life.
And most importantly, it should include something you actually enjoy.
If you’d like more information about personalized fitness or my Yoga and Pilates classes, you can book a free 20-minute session with me here.
Meanwhile, be sure to watch the video below. I’ll show you several different ways to modify a push-up so that almost anyone can do it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best exercise for women over 70?
There is no single best exercise. A balanced program should include strength, flexibility, balance, and aerobic activity, but it should also include activities you enjoy enough to continue.
Do I need to lift heavy weights to build strength?
No. I use isometric, bodyweight exercises in my Yoga and Pilates classes to build muscle fast.
What if I have knee, hip, or back pain?
All exercises can be modified to reduce stress on painful joints. The key is finding the version that works for the body you have now.
Is exercising in a group better than exercising alone?
Both can work well. Group classes offer the added benefit of social connection, encouragement, and accountability, which is good for your brain, and makes it easier to stay consistent.
Best of Health,
Kathi
