A Comprehensive Overview of Exercising for the 50+ Crowd

It’s no secret that exercise is important. As we age, the effects of staying active can make a huge difference in our overall quality of life.

But if you’re over 50, it’s important to understand the specifics of exercising in your age group.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss some tips for how often to exercise, which exercises are best for 50+ individuals, how to balance flexibility and strength training, how much cardio to do, and some popular exercise equipment you should consider investing in. 

How Often Should I Exercise? 

The American Heart Association recommends getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week. However, this doesn’t have to be all at once!

You can break up your exercise time into shorter chunks throughout the day; even just 10 minutes here and there can help you reach your goal. Additionally, don’t forget about strength training!

Aim for two days per week dedicated solely to strength training; focus on working all major muscle groups during those days.

Which Exercises Are Best?

For people over 50, low-impact exercises like walking or swimming are great options when it comes to aerobic activities.

These exercises are easier on joints and muscles than higher impact activities like running or jumping rope. Strength training should include a mix of bodyweight exercises (such as squats or pushups) as well as light weightlifting with dumbbells or resistance bands.

Don't forget about flexibility training too – stretching helps keep muscles toned and prevents stiffness from setting in. 

How Much Cardio Should I Do? 

When it comes to cardio, aim for 20-30 minutes per session 4-5 times per week.

This will help get your heart rate up without putting too much strain on your body - especially if you do low-impact activities like walking or swimming.

Remember that any movement counts towards your weekly goal; household chores or gardening can also contribute towards reaching your target number of minutes! 

What Exercise Equipment is Worth Investing In? 

There are tons of different pieces of equipment out there designed specifically for people over 50 who want to stay active – from stability balls and kettlebells to foam rollers and resistance bands.

Investing in a few basic pieces can help make sure you have what you need when it comes time to work out at home – plus they can help make exercising more enjoyable! 

However the best way to think about this is the following:

Invest in whatever you think will help you exercise more! Whether that's a treadmill, elliptical machine, free weights or a pilates reformer - if it gets you off the couch it's worth the money.

Conclusion

Staying fit is key for people over 50 - not only does regular exercise help maintain physical health but mental health as well!

The good news is that there are plenty of options available when it comes to finding ways to stay active - from low impact aerobics like walking or swimming to strength and flexibility training using basic equipment like weights or resistance bands.

With a bit of dedication and planning, anyone over the age of 50 can easily incorporate exercise into their daily routine.  So go ahead - take those first steps towards improving your overall wellbeing by starting an exercise regimen today!