Fitness sessions held inside pool
After years without a fitness regimen, it may be hard for older adults to get back into an exercise routine.
But a healthy diet and regular exercise is particularly important for those over the age of 50, as it can help slow signs of aging.
“Any amount of exercise can help decrease blood pressure and cholesterol and can increase muscle and bone strength,” said Sandy Ihlenfeld, the senior physical director for the city’s YMCA.
Ihlenfeld said the YMCA offers 30 classes specifically for active older adults per week, each session averaging about 20 participants. She said participants see noticeable results.
“Some signs of aging can be stopped or steadied with exercise,” she said. “We have people in our program well into their 80s and they still look fabulous.”
Many of those programs, which are about 45 minutes long, are held in water.
“The warm pool is nice for someone with arthritis,” Ihlenfeld said. “It’s 89 degrees, so it’s just like stepping into a bath tub.”
Ihlenfeld said the normal swimming pool, with water not quite as warm, is used for cardiovascular exercise.
“It’s good for your joints because your body is suspended in the pool,” she said.
Outside the water, the YMCA offers other exercises, including gentle yoga.
“Slow yoga is very relaxing and increases flexibility, which is important because we lose a lot of flexibility as we age,” Ihlenfeld said.
Regardless of the program, Ihlenfeld said any type of exercise will be beneficial to older adults looking to improve their health.
“Anything is better than nothing,” she said.
Ihlenfeld said the hardest part of the program is getting started.
“You really have to just do it,” she said. “People think they’re too busy to do it, but you just have to start somewhere. That’s the hardest part.”
Ihlenfeld said there is a satisfaction that comes with regular exercise.
“No one ever walks out of our programs saying it was a bad use of time,” she said, adding exercise helps treat depression and anxiety.
While she encourages everyone to begin to exercise, Ihlenfeld warned it is important to discuss it with your physician first.
“Exercise acts as medicine,” she said. “For example, a lot of people who are diabetic or prediabetic may become overmedicated because our bodies become more efficient with exercise.”
Ihlenfeld also said it was a good idea to meet with a personal trainer before starting a new regimen.
“A lot of people are still working or have busy schedules, so they want a program set up specifically for them,” she said. “Even meeting one or two times per month can get specific goals.”
