Senior health minute | Exercise for every age

No matter your age or physical condition, it’s never too late to start exercising. Seniors should follow these recommended guidelines for exercising:

• Get at least two and a half hours or 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. You can spread the activity out over several days and do it in 10-minute increments.
• Find an appropriate exercise activity for your level of fitness. Check with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure about your fitness level.
• Improve your strength and reduce your risk of falling by adding muscle-building activities to your exercise routine at least twice per week.

Tips for exercising safely:

• Dress properly.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes. Dress in layers on cool days. That way you can remove a layer if you get too warm.
• Always wear shoes that fit well and that are designed for exercise. If you need orthotic inserts to prevent your feet from hurting, get these before exercising.
• Exercise indoors when it’s too hot or too cold outside, or when the air quality is poor. Try walking at a shopping mall or walking at a reasonable pace on a treadmill.
• Drink plenty of water before, during, and after exercise (unless you are on a water-restricted diet).