Exercise guidelines every person over 50 should follow

If there is one point that I can drive home more than any other, it is to exercise. Running, jumping, dancing, stretching, walking, any movement at all. Exercise is our most valuable tool for healthy ageing and can benefit all of us in a multitude of ways, not least of which is a stronger, more capable body. Regular exercise does wonders for our state of mind as well, and many studies show it can decrease stress levels exponentially. The best part is, it’s never too late to start. Whether you’re 20, 60 or 80 we can all reap the benefits of exercise and introduce new exercise into our lifestyles as we see fit.

It can be a minefield trying to figure out which exercise will suit us best, however. Will running have long term effects on my joints? Is walking enough to have any effect on my fitness levels? Should I use weights in my workouts? Do I need to join a gym to see benefits?

The Physical Activity Guidelines recommend 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week, with an additional two sessions of strength training to help maintain optimal fitness levels. Following this guideline has shown an overall improvement in quality of life and is key to preventing and managing chronic disease.

We are all made different, however, and we all require different levels of exertion in our workouts. One person’s mile sprint can be another’s walk, and both are equally right. There is no right or wrong when it comes to exercise, only what you need for your body to thrive.

Below I am going to break down some things to keep in mind when allocating your time between aerobic exercise and strength training and what you should be aiming for in your workouts.

AEROBIC EXERCISE

Aerobic activity is any activity that gets your whole body moving for a sustained period of time. Walking and running are perhaps the two most common forms of aerobic movement. The goal here is to get the rate heart up and the blood pumping.

The ideal time per week of aerobic exercise is 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous movement. You can divide this time up to work in with your schedule, but try to fit in some kind of aerobic movement every day of the week, even walking the dog counts!

The intensity is relevant to you, so as long as you feel like you are working at a high level, that is perfect. If it were a sliding scale from 1 to 10, try to hit somewhere between 6-9.

To help you keep track, aim for 30 minutes a day or 50 minutes three times a week. To get started with some aerobic training right now, I think you’ll really enjoy these workout playlists!

45 MINUTE LOW IMPACT WORKOUT FOR WOMEN OVER 50 | BEGINNER FRIENDLY

45 MINUTE ARMS, BACK AND LEGS WORKOUT FOR WORKOM OVER 50

STRENGTH TRAINING

Maintaining strength in our bodies as we get older will allow us to carry out our day to day tasks with more ease and better equip us with the tools necessary to thrive.

At least two days a week should involve some kind of strength training, whether that’s a weighted workout (with dumbbells for example) or resistance training with resistance bands. There is no set period of time you should be aiming for here, however it’s important that you hit all the major muscle groups. Arms, abs, back and legs can all benefit from strength training.

Like aerobic movement, strength training is all dependent on your fitness levels. There’s no point in trying the throw around a weight that’s too much for you, in fact this will have adverse effects on the body. Aim for a weight that is a little challenging but doable for you. And, if you need to drop the weight throughout the workout, that’s totally OK too.

To get started with some strength training now, I think you’ll really enjoy these workouts:

15 Minute Back Workout With Dumbbells For Women Over 50 | Lose Back Fat!

7 Minute Sculpted Arm Indoor Workout For Women! With Weights

IN CONCLUSION…

Our fitness is relative and personal, but there are certain goalposts we should all be aiming for when building out our workout routines. We should all strive to hit 150 minutes of aerobic movement and at least 2 strength training sessions a week for drastic improvements in our overall quality of life and to help us age gracefully. How we get to that point is completely in our hands and at the discretion of our fitness levels. As you continue to train and fitness levels increase, it’s also important to scale our output to match our new strength and stamina.

To help you stay on track, I have created a workout challenge that will have you hitting each of these recommended points. The challenge will be released shortly and you can check out all the information on in the below video Xxxx

If you find fabulous50s content useful and would like to support my work, you could always BuyMeATea 🫖 (completely optional, only if you want to!). Your support will help me create more quality videos and content created just for you… Fabulous women over 50! With love and appreciation, thank you. 🙏🏻😘

 

3 Responses

  1. Hello would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re using?

    I’m planning to start my own blog soon but I’m having
    a difficult time selecting between BlogEngine/home/fabulous/public_html/blog.fabulous50s.com/B2evolution and Drupal.
    The reason I ask is because your design seems different then most blogs and I’m looking
    for something unique. P.S My apologies for
    getting off-topic but I had to ask!

  2. Hi!!! Un Regina i’m so happy with new 7 days !!! Are fabulosa!!!!!
    A Little ve more intense but os Great!!
    Thank you !!

  3. I don’t know how you do it Schellea, but great mix of everything to keep it fresh. Loving it.

About Author

Schellea Fowler

Schellea Fowler

Schellea Fowler, the visionary founder of Fabulous50s, brings over three decades of small business leadership and expertise to her legacy. Not only has she excelled personally, but she has also become a mentor, generously sharing her wealth of experience with emerging entrepreneurs.

After retiring at 50 in 2016, Schellea’s commitment to continuous growth led her to pursue additional qualifications. A qualified fitness instructor, she is presently continuing her master trainer program, specializing in exercise for older adults. Through Fabulous50s, Schellea remains devoted to her vision of empowering and inspiring women to embrace and celebrate their current stage of life.

Her additional qualifications include: Fashion Styling from the Australian Style Institute, Advanced Personal Colour Analysis from AOPI,  and Meditation Teacher Training from Yoga Coach.

Above all, Schellea’s mission is simple yet profound: to support women in embracing the aging process with confidence and grace.

Learn how to burn fat and build muscle fast with guided instruction.

Disclaimer: The content presented here is entirely unsponsored, and all opinions expressed are solely mine. In instances where I express admiration for a product, if there is an affiliate link, I may include it. However, it is crucial to note that I will never prioritize seeking products that offer commissions over providing genuine reviews.

Please be informed that certain links within the content may be affiliate links. Should you choose to click on these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This does not entail any additional cost to you, and your decision to use these links remains entirely at your discretion.

Moreover, it is imperative to recognize that any information disseminated through the videos or any type of content is intended solely for general entertainment and educational purposes. Prior to embarking on any exercise regimen or program mentioned, I strongly advise consulting with your physician/doctor. Engaging in any exercise is undertaken at your own risk.

Thank you so much.

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