Getting active when you find exercise difficult
If you find it hard to be as active as you want to be, we've got exercises and tips to help you.
Many people are having to spend more time at home than they normally would. This can make it harder to stay active and have an effect on our motivation. But we’ve put some exercises together, with the help of Stephen Macconville, fitness lead at Nuffield Health, that you can do at home.
Whether you enjoyed going to the gym or attending an exercise class, you stayed active by going to the shops or running around after the grandchildren or you’re not as active as you once were, these activites are suitable for all abilities. What’s important is that while you’re at home, you continue to do what you can.
According to Stephen, ‘it is recommended older people try to do two types of physical activity each week to stay healthy or to improve health. These are aerobic exercise well known for its cardiovascular benefits and strength (also known as resistance) exercises, which help build muscle to maintain balance and stability.’
Together with Nuffield Health, we’ve put together some strength and aerobic exercises below and instructions on how to do them. Whatever your fitness level, do what you can at home to stay as fit, active and independent as possible.
It is fine to push yourself a little bit, but don’t do anything that doesn’t feel comfortable and trust your instincts about your own limits. Stop if you are feeling any pain or lightheaded and make sure to rest and stay hydrated. A little soreness in muscles and joints after exercise is quite normal for the first day or two.
To help strengthen the muscles of the lower body, bones and joints
To improve balance and bone strength
To improve mobility, posture and strength
To improve upper body and back mobility
To maintain upper body strength and bone mineral density
To improve upper body strength and daily functional movement
To improve coordination, aerobic fitness for heart health and lower body strength
Of course, exercise is not only good for your physical health, but your mental health too
Stephen comments, ‘It’s important to use our muscles regularly to maintain bone strength, muscle strength, coordination, keep the heart healthy and improve sleep. But there are many other important benefits to exercising, such as building self-confidence and good emotional wellbeing.’
If you find it hard to be as active as you want to be, we've got exercises and tips to help you.
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