It’s common to let daily exercise fall by the wayside as life’s responsibilities pile on, or as you become older and activity levels drop. Or perhaps you never made getting fit a habit in the first place! No matter the reason, now is the time to remind yourself that it’s never too late to start reaping the benefits of exercise. It’s one of the best things you can do for your health and well-being. Start enjoying the benefits of exercise today—use these tips to plan your workout routine.
Exercise tips for adults (18-64)
- Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week, like brisk walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise each week such as running or hiking uphill.
- Take time to build your endurance by including strengthening activities at least two days a week.
Exercise tips for older adults (65+)
- In addition to the tips above, if you are in this age group it’s important to incorporate balance exercises to improve your coordination and help reduce falling. Tai chi, yoga and Pilates are great exercises to try.
- When selecting exercises, choose those that will help you become more efficient in your day-to-day activities, like arm and wrist strengthening to help you lift everyday objects.
For all ages:
- Start slow. Look for opportunities to get—and keep–your body moving, such as discovering a new route to walk around your neighborhood or easy trails through nearby parks. The more you walk, the more you will want to walk!
- Link up with others to keep motivated. Join a class, whether it’s pickleball, water aerobics at the Y, Latin dance, or something else. Or set a regular date to buddy up with a friend to walk or ride bikes.
- Entice yourself. Get snazzy sneakers or exercise wear, a wristwatch with an exercise reminder app, or a playlist and earphones to help keep you energized while you walk or exercise.
Whatever you do, keep moving!
