Physical Health Benefits of Exercise and Fitness for Seniors

Physical exercise is any bodily activity that enhances or maintains physical fitness and overall health and wellness.

1. Exercise helps maintain or lose weight - As metabolism naturally slows with age, maintaining a healthy weight is a challenge. Exercise helps increase metabolism and builds muscle mass, helping to burn more calories. When your body reaches a healthy weight, your overall wellness will improve. Weight Loss Tips for everyone.

2. Exercise enhances mobility, flexibility, and balance in seniors -  Exercise improves your strength, flexibility and posture, which in turn will help with balance, coordination, and reducing the risk of falls. Strength training also helps alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis.

3. Exercise reduces the impact of illness and chronic disease -  Among the many benefits of exercise for seniors include improved immune function, better heart health and blood pressure, better bone density, and better digestive functioning. Seniors who exercise also have a lowered risk of several chronic conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and colon cancer.