Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Just because it becomes more difficult to recover from a fitness-related injury after the age of 40, does not mean it is time to quit working out. It only means that you must be more careful in choosing and executing your routine. In a blog post that I found, a personal trainer from Dallas gives advice to those seeking top fitness over the age of 40.
- Warm Up
No matter what your age is, stretching and warming up before exercise is crucial; it just becomes even more imperative in order to avoid injury after 40. “Warm ups increase blood circulation, improve joint movement and elevate your ability to absorb oxygen.” The trainer suggests 10 – 20 minutes of walking, incorporating a few stretches here and there.
- Work Out
Rather than working multiple muscle groups in one work out session, break them up into groups. Arms one day, legs the next, and so on. Also, it is important to keep cardio in your routine; for optimal results, one must balance both strength training and cardio. The trainer makes a special note to the ladies – strength training does not have to bulk you up. “Just by incorporating strength training a few days a week, will bring about a stronger, healthier and better looking body, which is essential to aging well. You’ll be at less risk for osteoporosis, your skin will glow and your posture will be close to perfect.”
- Cool Down
The cool down is just as important as the warm up. This allows your breathing to regulate, your heart rate to stabilize, and your body to recover from the workout.
Remember – no matter what your age is, exercising regularly will help you live a long and healthy life. Another great resource of motivation is the Fitness Over 40 Blog; the chronicles of a middle-age man and his wife maintaining an active lifestyle and having fun while doing so.