Vegan Personal Trainers (Toronto): Senior Fitness Tips During COVID

You may have an aging loved one who is staying safe by being at home during COVID-19, but is it harming their overall health?

Physical activity is known to lower the risks of developing a wide range of diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular issues. It can also improve how well our immune systems work, which is helpful to fight this virus.

So, if you have an aging senior in your family, they need to remain physically active. But how can this be done within the confines of their home? Our vegan personal trainers in Toronto have prepared a list of tips to follow.

How Seniors Can Stay, Fit While Self-Isolating? (Tips from Vegan Personal Trainers in Toronto)

Here are some fitness ideas for aging seniors to stay active while socially distancing and self-isolating.

1. Let Them Start Slow

It doesn’t matter how old an individual is; it’s easy to get carried away when starting a new exercise program. However, trying to do too much too quickly is often a recipe for failure, especially for aging adults. Along with causing burnout, it may result in injuries that could lead to them becoming even less mobile than before.

Seniors with a sedentary lifestyle need to ease into any form of movement. So, most personal trainers recommend starting slowly and following a fitness program that is suitable for their age and mobility level. By making minor changes, they can lay the groundwork for bigger changes.

2. Encourage Them to Take Walks

While some people may love walking on a treadmill, others may find it boring. Also, in the wake of the pandemic, gyms are not always open at full capacity, if at all, and not everyone has access to a treadmill.

You can help your aging loved one be creative and turn this into an interesting form of exercise. Walking is great for older adults, and even low-intensity walks can offer similar health benefits to high-intensity ones. If your loved one has a garden, encourage them to go on walks. If they get tired easily, ask them to break it up into smaller segments, with rest periods in between.

In the absence of a home garden, they can take strolls around their block. However, make sure they mask up and maintain social distancing while doing so.

3. Ask Them to Look for a Friend

If your aging loved ones feel bored working out by themselves, suggest getting in touch with their friends and look for a workout buddy. This can turn the seemingly tedious task of exercising into something they look forward to, as it becomes a social and fun activity.

Another advantage of this scenario is that they will have someone with them during their training sessions who can help them in case they fall or otherwise injure themselves. If they can’t find someone their own age to accompany them, you can also consider hiring an on-site personal trainer. They will have the necessary experience and will prepare an exercise plan that is suitable for their fitness level. They will also be able to prevent injuries and make sure they get the help they need in case something happens.

4. Help Them Prepare a List

By helping your aging loved one prepare a plan for daily workouts, it will be easier for them to follow it and stick to their fitness goals. The list may include things like:

• Taking a walk
• Putting on music and dancing
• Doing yard or garden work
• Getting groceries and/or mail

By building their fitness routine around a few daily activities, it will be easier for them to incorporate it into their daily life.

5. Guide Them to Stay Safe

Even if your loved one prefers exercising at home, they will need appropriate guidance and exercises for their age and mobility restrictions. So give them reminders to ensure they are safe when taking part in any form of physical activity, such as:

• Being aware of their surroundings and environment. When exercising at home, make sure there is a couch, counter, table, or chair within reach that is pushed up against a wall to help maintain their balance. A couch or chair can come in handy if they need to sit too.
• Listening to their bodies. Just like we are told to always warm-up before starting our exercise routine and cool down afterwards, older adults need to do the same. Also, while most of us are told to push our limits, this isn’t true for older individuals as they are more at risk of hurting themselves.
• Wearing appropriate clothing and footwear. Your loved one should choose clothes and shoes that are comfortable and allow them to comfortably perform various physical activities.
• Hydrating themselves. Seniors should make sure they are well hydrated before, during and after their session, even if they might not feel thirsty. This keeps them from becoming dehydrated, which could lead to dizziness and, in severe cases, fainting.

As we all cope with the pandemic, it’s vital to think of ways to support the health of our aging loved ones, especially those dealing with chronic health issues. Hopefully, these tips will allow you to find an exercise routine that works for them. They will also ensure they remain active while self-isolating and maintaining social distancing protocols.