BEAUFORT FITNESS: SWEAT A LITTLE AND NEVER ACT YOUR AGE!

Has anyone ever told you to “act your age?” I’ve talked about this before. Why? Because it’s awesome! That’s why. I have some good news: when it comes to fitness, age really doesn’t matter. It really is just a number.

Need proof? Look at actress Jane Fonda and fitness guru Richard Simmons (both well over 60) who have released exercise DVDs and teach workout classes. Need more evidence closer to home? Well, I can tell you about a number of my clients who started working out in the latter halves of their lives and are in better shape than they’ve ever been. This means that people in basically any age group can – and should – exercise. There is a lot of evidence pointing to numerous benefits of physical fitness for all Beaufort health and fitness seekers – kids, adolescents, young adults, midlifers, baby boomers, and seniors.

Whatever age-related ailment you can think of, chances are a well coached Beaufort fitness program and regular exercise can help prevent it, or at least reduce its severity. Arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, not to mention heart disease, certain types of cancer and diabetes, can all benefit from physical activity. Not only that, but being fit and active can also prevent disability and loss of function that many people undergo as they get older. Even many well-trained athletes see a decline in performance after the age of 30. But there’s hope.

In fact, a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reports that physically active older adults experience significantly fewer functional limitations than their more sedentary peers. It’s never too late (or too early) to start exercising. It’s just a matter of getting your physician’s okay, and then starting slowly and gently as you gradually build up your intensity. Exercising with an experienced Beaufort personal trainer or Beaufort fitness experts will ensure that your workout is safe and effective.

At EarthFIT, we recommend these workouts in your regular routine:

• Strength training: With age, our muscle mass declines and the body becomes weaker. However, resistance training will not only build up muscle mass and keep the body strong, but also help prevent bone density loss that occurs in osteoporosis.
• Balance and flexibility exercises will improve stability and coordination, keeping you from falling down and sustaining serious injuries – a big problem among older people. It will also increase your range of motion, decrease muscular tension, and strengthen your joints, tendons and ligaments – all of which will go a long way in preventing or relieving the pain and discomfort of arthritis.
• Cardio training will ensure not only a healthy heart, but also – of particular concern to older people – a healthy, alert brain. Numerous studies have shown that, while boosting our cognitive abilities, exercise also significantly reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, dementia and other related conditions.