EXERCISING AS YOU AGE
We’ll all feel the effects of aging as we get older. The aging process affects all aspects of our wellbeing, including our ability to exercise. So how do we counter these effects? Let’s look at how you should exercise as you age and what changes you may need to make as you grow older.
WHAT IS PHYSICAL FITNESS?
Physical fitness is a result of exercise or physical activity. It is the efficiency and capacity of your cardiovascular health, muscular strength, flexibility, as well as your overall body composition. Each of these components prove to provide different function for your body and often have separate training focuses, but they ultimately come together to provide total body function.
WHAT IS EXERCISE?
Physical Activity is not exercise, but exercise is physical activity. It is a narrower scope focused on a more regimented and planned routine of physical activity. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to read my previous blog on physical activity and what defines it. I consider exercise to be a step up from being physically active when it comes to working towards more concrete or specific goals.
WHAT IS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY?
Being active does not have to be exercise. It does not have to look like a strict routine and does not require lifting “scary weights.” To be physically active, all you have to do is move. Any type of movement beyond rolling over in bed is adequate. Getting out of bed to start your day is being active. Bending over to tie your shoe? Also considered a form of being active.