6 Best Exercises for Seniors

Enhance your mind and body with these six exercises for seniors 65 and older. When you perform a variety of exercises, you boost your overall health by improving your flexibility, balance and mental health.

1. Walking

Walking 10 minutes a day or more is a simple way to get your body moving. Seniors who walk daily reduce and prevent many health issues like heart disease, obesity, diabetes and depression. Walking supplements your mind and body health while helping you stay independent longer.

Take part in our free Walk Fit Walking Program.

2. Tai Chi & Yoga

Each week, take two or three days to practice tai chi or yoga to enhance your flexibility and balance. You'll notice less pain and stiffness in your joints and decreased anxiety.

Tai Chi

Yang is the most popular form of tai chi for seniors because it’s easy to learn. It uses large sweeping motions performed at a slow, even pace. Yang is ideal for older adults with chronic conditions and aging joints who want to improve balance and stability.

Yoga

Slow-paced, gentle yoga is best for people 65 and older. Hatha, restorative, and chair yoga involve holding seated and standing poses long enough to release tension while increasing flexibility, balance and movement.

3. Water Aerobics

Exercising in water is a low-impact physical activity to help you stay active, even if you can’t swim. Water supports your body, putting less stress on your joints and muscles and gives you a wider range of motion. When you use the water as resistance, you’ll feel your muscles and heart activate to build strength and move blood.

The pool is a fun way to stay cool when working out, especially among friends. Aquatic exercises can:

• Improve your heart health and lower your blood pressure
• Reduce joint and osteoarthritis pain
• Enhance your strength and endurance
• Help you lose weight

4. Chair Exercises

Chair exercises help you avoid strain on your body while building strength and improving flexibility. This low-impact exercise is one you can do in the convenience of your home to increase blood flow and help you feel less pain. When you do chair exercises daily, you’ll reduce your risk of falls.

Make the most out of your chair exercises.

5. Meditation

Meditating daily allows you to manage stress and reduce negative feelings or emotions. Learning to stay centered and keep inner peace may help manage anxiety, depression, heart disease and chronic pain.

Learn more about mental health and aging.

6. Crossword Puzzles

Exercise your brain by completing a crossword puzzle daily. Crossword puzzles help keep your memory and thinking sharp. Begin with more straightforward puzzles and use a pencil to erase any errors.

When you do crossword puzzles, you:

• Expand your vocabulary
• Get a sense of achievement
• Help prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
• Improve your mental health and reduce anxiety