Giving props to working out, Frankie Cooke of Newton, NC says, “I
turned 97 years old on January 6, 2016. If it were not for exercising,
I would not still be here. In 1994 I had a light heart attack and four
bypasses. I started rehab at
Catawba Valley Medical Center’s Outpatient Rehabilitation Center before
Fitness Plus opened and I have been exercising at Fitness Plus three days per week
for 21 years sense then.”
“An active lifestyle makes age irrelevant when it comes to health
and wellness,” says
CVMC’s Fitness Plus Member Relations Specialist, April Berg. “Exercise helps to improve
balance, maintain mobility and stamina, reduces the incidence of disease,
boots your mood and leads to an overall better quality of life.”
Many older adults have given up on exercise assuming that they’re
too out of shape, too sick, too tired or just too old. Statistics show
that only one out of four people between the ages of 65 and 74 exercises
regularly. Now is the perfect time to add exercise to your day!
Top 10 Reasons Older Adults Should Exercise
- Prevents Osteoporosis by increasing bone density through strength training.
- Improves self-achievement and the ability to maintain independence for
daily living activities.
- Increases metabolism and decrease body fat by increasing lean muscles through
strength training.
- Decreases fall by maintaining balance, coordination and improving reflexes.
- Promotes social interaction and a feeling of belonging.
- Improves lung function by decreasing spinal degeneration and strengthening
the chest cavity.
- Decreases depression, improves memory and boosts self-esteem.
- Prevents and regulates diabetes through cardiovascular exercises like walking,
biking, and swimming.
- Improves flexibility, circulation, joint range of motion and function movement.
- Improves heart health through cardiovascular exercise, reducing risk of
heart disease.
According to researchers older adults who exercised only one day a week
were able to maintain their muscle strength, allowing them to avoid injuries
and remain independent. Just imagine what more exercising more can do for you!
Seek the advice of a fitness professional or your health care provider
prior to starting a new exercise routine. Better yet, join us the 3rd Thursday of every month from 7:30am – 8:30am at the Fitness Plus
Track for
Walk With A Doc. This event gives you the chance to talk to a health care provider while
you walk at your own pace with new friends, doctors, nurses, and other
health care professionals. To learn more about the programs available
for seniors at Fitness Plus contact April Berg at 828.326.3680.