Even during the winter, a senior should be exercising. One of the best things about finding a local gym with a pool is that they will not only have a wide variety of workout classes in the pool but the pool will be heated. It will be way too cold to swim outside, but this will be an excellent indoor activity to do with a professional who teaches the class. Here are some of the best water exercises for a senior to do. Keep in mind that if a senior needs a ride to the gym, they can use a shuttle service or have someone like a senior home care provider help drive them to classes a few times a week.
Water Walking Is Great for Seniors
If your senior isn’t interested in working out in a class or needs a break from all of the people, water walking can be a great alternative. Not only is this easy on the joints, but it can also be way warmer than walking outside during the wintertime! A senior can start by marching in place or walking across the shallow end of the pool. Water walking should get the heartbeat up but also be comfortable enough to do for a while. It should raise the heart rate without being exhausting.
Try Leg Lifts in the Pool
Maintain your stance and extend one leg to the side before lowering it back to the ground. Keep going until you’re exhausted, and switch to the other leg. Leg, hip, and abdominal muscles are all given a good workout. This workout can be easier on the body when done in the water but still just as impactful. Keep in mind that if a senior is in the pool, they should always have their senior home care provider nearby and a designated lifeguard watching the pool.
Do Arm Curls in the Pool or Try Calf Raises
Position yourself in the water with your hands facing down. To experience the resistance of the water, you must quickly bend your arms and curl your water weights up and down. Do this until you reach a level of exhaustion that feels good. If your senior has access, there may be water weights that are light enough to use with this workout! However, a senior should never feel any pain, so if they can’t use water weights, doing it with just arms may be enough.
On the side of the pool, a senior can lift up and down on their calves. Grab the poolside, rock forward onto the balls of your feet, then up onto the tips of your heels, holding for a moment before releasing. This can be a great warm-up for anyone who wants to walk in the pool or even before swimming laps.
Senior Home Care Aides can Observe Their Easy Laps
Some seniors may feel confident and comfortable enough to swim laps. They can swim in any form they want to as long as it’s comfortable for them. It’s a fantastic total-body workout that challenges your cardiovascular system, muscular endurance, and stability all at once.