The Absolute Best Senior Exercise Videos

As we all know, exercise, in conjunction with diet, is essential to our overall health and well-being, and that fact does not change as we age.  As we get older, we experience muscle loss, which adversely affects our coordination, balance and stability.

Also, as our metabolism and activity levels decrease, we can add unnecessary weight, which also negatively affects our coordination and balance in a vicious circle.  Therefore, it’s paramount that we either continue to exercise as we age, or, if you have gotten away from your exercise regime, you start back up again.

However, as we enter our senior years, we are incapable of doing what we once could.  Yes, there are plenty of examples of seniors doing amazing physical feats, such as competing in a triathlon or lifting excessive amounts of weight.

However, most of us do not fall into that category.  Most seniors are in search of a no to low-impact exercise that doesn’t require hours of time, but still staves off muscle loss and improves our aerobic health.

Obviously, swimming provides the best no-impact exercise that works our aerobic system while the water provides the resistance required to get a great muscular workout.  However, getting to a pool everyday isn’t feasible for most.  Since that’s the case, here are the best, land-based senior exercise videos (online and DVD) that can be utilized in the comfort of your living room:

• Gentle Yoga for Beginners and Seniors.  Yoga, like swimming, is a great way to build muscle strength and aerobic fitness.  It also improves balance, core (the muscles of your abdomen, lower back and hips) stability, mobility and flexibility.  This multi-volume video series is exactly what it says, “gentle.”  It’s a great way to get back into yoga or to start it for the first time.  Find it online here: https://www.youtube.com/And here’s a similar DVD yoga program: https://www.amazon.com/Gentle-Yoga-Beginning-Practices-Relaxation
• Beginner Senior Pilates.Pilates was developed by German, Joseph Pilates, during the mid-twentieth century and was originally known as “contrology” due to its emphasis on controlled movements.  Pilates uses these controlled movements and breathing techniques for core development and improved balance and coordination.  And, similar to yoga, no external equipment is required.  Here’s a great beginner’s session for seniors online: https://grokker.com/fitness/video/beginner-senior  And here’s a great Pilates DVD for those over 50: https://www.amazon.com/Pilates-Over-50s
• Tai Chi for Seniors.What began as a Chinese martial art has now become an exercise regime that uses slow, semi-continuous movements to improve balance, flexibility, relaxation and strength.  Here’s a great introductory DVD called Tai Chi for Life:

For those of you with access to the internet machine, there are a variety of exercise videos available and, as they say, “Variety is the spice of life.”  Simply peruse the videos out there and participate in those that interest you most.  Just be sure to exercise at least three times per week, take it slow at first, and alter your routine from time to time.