By Tracy Fischer, ADRC Manager for the ADRC of Dunn County
When it comes to your health it is never too late to strengthen your heart. Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, and staying active, can help prevent your heart from weakening as quickly over time.
Just like with other muscles of the body, it is possible to reverse some of the effects of aging and strengthen our hearts by doing heart-healthy exercises.
But there are some things that seniors should keep in mind — especially if you’re looking for heart-healthy exercises — most importantly: starting slow
Three Heart-Healthy Indoor Activities for Seniors
#1: Weight Lifting
Cardio isn’t everyone’s favorite activity, and the good news is, it’s not the only activity that’s good for your heart. Weight lifting is one of the many heart-healthy activities for seniors that doesn’t involve tons of cardio.
It’s been proven that properly using weight training can help you strengthen your heart.
Strength training exercises increase lean muscle mass throughout the body, giving your cardiovascular system places to send blood that is being pumped — reducing the pressure on your arteries — which helps reduce chances of heart-related problems and improves circulation throughout the body.
Weight training has been proven to lower the possibility of heart attacks and strokes.
#2: Group Exercise Classes
Heart-healthy activities for seniors don’t have to be done alone. If you are looking for a way to socialize and reap the benefits of exercise, a group exercise class is a perfect solution.
The ADRC of Dunn County currently offers the Stronger Bodies program in a virtual format, which might be a perfect opportunity for you to give a group exercise a try from the comfort of your own home. You can call us at 715-232-4006 for more information. We are also looking at adding more group classes this year, so stay tuned!
#3: Dance Classes
Dance classes are an amazing way to connect with other seniors and participate in heart-healthy activities. As an added bonus, dance classes allow participants to move at their own pace.
If you’re just getting back into being active, you can take it slow. If you’re someone looking for a more intense workout, you can step up your dance moves.
Whether you’re into the samba, working on your boot-scootin-boogie, or ready to get moving and grooving in your community’s Zumba class — you’ll reap the benefits of dance classes.
According to a recent study, moderate-intensity dancing can help lower your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.
Really, the most important thing is probably just to find some sort of movement you enjoy, and get moving! It’s never too late to care for your heart!
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