The benefits of getting fit when you’re older can be huge, particularly if you’ve had heart problems. We’ve got 6 top tips to help you get fit later in life.
- Find an exercise you love doing. You’re more likely to stick with something that you enjoy. If you have never exercised before, try walking or swimming to get started. Ease in gradually and you can build from there. If you’re already active but feel you need to take it up a gear, you should be considering adding weights to your exercise routine. It’s perfectly possible to get fit after 50, but you might need a bit of help, designing a programme to get the results you want. Staying active and fit over 50 will have long term benefits for your health. If you’d like to have a chat to me about the best next steps, fill out the form below.
- Build up your exercise steadily – don’t push yourself too hard to begin with. Start slow and steady, and build up gradually. The risk of injury is high if you go from zero to hero too quickly. It’s important to build up your fitness, while allowing your body time to rest and adjust to your new pace. You can expect to feel mild muscle tiredness as you build fitness, but you shouldn’t be in acute pain. It’s important to learn exercises, stretches and weight movements properly, and ideally under supervision, so that you can learn how to do them correctly.
- Exercise with friends or groups for encouragement. Do you have a pal you could / would set up a routine with? If not, set goals with a family member, or with a personal trainer. Having a path with achievable goals is an important tool in terms of motivation and persistence.
- Plan exercise into your diary so you always make time for it. Fail to plan, plan to fail as the old adage goes. As you’re building a new habit into your lifestyle, it’s key to build in the time. If you set aside time, you’ll be delighted with yourself, and be able to achieve your goals!
- Set targets, whether it’s walking for longer or training for an event. Would you sign up for a fun run, a charity walk, a triathlon or a swim? Or is there a family wedding on the horizon? Working towards an event helps to keep you motivated as you continue on your fitness journey.
- Speak to a professional before doing any new exercise. I have been working with the over 50s in Cork on their fitness goals for over a decade. Having been an Olympian representing Ireland before that, you’re in safe and expert hands, should you chose to start an exercise routine with me.
If you would like to discuss your fitness plan with me, please fill out the form below.