5 10-Minute Workouts for Seniors to Stay Fit and Active

Staying independent, active and fit is important to seniors living at assisted living communities in Southeastern, MA, like Village at Proprietors Green. Here are a few 10 minute workouts seniors can try in their rooms or with a small group of friends to stay fit on their own. Don’t forget to check out Village at Proprietors Green’s Fitness Center and Health and Wellness Programs for other workout programs specifically designed for seniors. Village at Proprietors Green has special exercise programs for individuals suffering from arthritis, and skilled physical therapy services that can be billed directly to a resident’s Medicare B health insurance.

1. One easy workout for seniors to try is marching in place. Pop in your favorite movie or turn on your TV and march in place while you catch up on the news. Don’t forget to stretch before you start and when you cool down. Other alternatives to try instead of marching include, walking in place, jumping jacks, pushups, squats and crunches.

2. Take the stairs. Walk up and down the stairs to get your heart rate up. You can do this in your building or while you are out shopping with your friends. Taking the stairs is a great alternative for a quick workout instead of waiting on the elevator.

3. Try wall sits. Borrow or buy a stability ball for this exercise. Place your back against a wall, with the stability ball underneath you. Slowly slide down the wall into a sitting position with your butt resting on the stability ball if you have trouble holding the position. Eventually you will not even need the ball. Hold the sitting position for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise at least 3 more times. When you find you can hold the sitting position longer, you can increase the number of reps and period of time you hold the sitting position to strengthen your muscles.

4. Try using an exercise band. This large rubber band will help you increase your muscle. It will be like lifting weights without actually lifting any weight. Use the band to do bicep curls, shoulder presses or rowing motions. The exercise band is flexible and can help you work all sorts of muscles you probably forgot you had.

5. Try a new work out video. If you enjoy yoga or Pilates or any other type of taped workout, then borrow or buy a new video and invite your friends over for a test run. Video workouts are great because they allow you to exercise on your own schedule. Working out with your friends will help you stay motivated to exercise and have fun at the same time.