The Best Exercise Videos For Seniors On Youtube
Written by:
Jeffrey Grossman
Published:
April 6, 2020
No matter your age, it's never too late to begin an exercise routine to promote a healthy lifestyle. Explore the benefits of free exercise videos for seniors.
According to the CDC, the loss of stamina and strength we attribute to aging is related to a decline in physical activity. Exercise videos for seniors is a great way to gain back lost muscle mass.The problem is that some of the bodily changes seniors face occur before they slow their exercising habits. This makes certain exercise routines more difficult or even dangerous to perform.Fortunately, there are some great, free exercise videos for seniors available online. They provide guidance and a safe, senior-friendly routine that can be performed from home. Read on to learn more about HASfit and how HASfit for seniors can help your loved one stay healthy and active at home.
Why Should Seniors Stay Active?
Exercise is a great way to maintain or improve your physical abilities, give yourself an energy boost, better your mental health.
Improved Physical Abilities
Exercise helps seniors to keep their strength up which, in turn, can increase their independence. Daily tasks often involve lifting and carrying, such as taking the laundry basket to the washroom or unloading groceries from the car.There are also physical activities that help seniors to improve their balance which can increase their safety to prevent falling. From core exercises to tai-chi, there are plenty of ways to practice and maintain balance.Finally, regular exercise can help to prevent or manage heart disease. Active bodies have lower heart rates, blood pressure, and stress. This can relieve over-worked hearts and reduce the risk of strokes or heart attacks.
Increased Energy
Although you have to expend energy to exercise, you get more back in return. Exercise improves blood circulation throughout the body. Your circulation and heart muscle become strengthened, enabling you to feel more energized throughout the day.
Better Mental Health
Some seniors may find that their physical abilities are still intact, but their mental health could use a boost. Exercise can help!When you exercise, you release some of the tension in your body that sends signals to your brain that make you feel anxious or depressed. You also lower your levels of cortisol, a stress-inducing hormone, and release endorphins, a joy-inducing neurotransmitter. Exercise can also improve cognitive functions such as decision-making and information retention. This is great for seniors whose cognitive abilities are slowing as they age.
Why Exercise Videos for Seniors Are a Great Choice
While a local gym may offer exercise classes for seniors, there are tons of reasons why exercise videos can make a fantastic alternative. Why?You can follow exercise videos along at home as long as you have a computer, an iPad, or a similar streaming device. This is great news for seniors who have limited access to transportation or limited mobility in general. Plus, video workouts for seniors are available online 24/7. No need to disrupt your daily schedule to fit in a class or two. Exercise videos are also free and your options aren't limited to the classes being taught at a gym. If you try out one video and find that it isn't for you, you can move onto the next one free of charge!
The Best Exercise Videos For Seniors on Youtube
If you search "exercise for seniors youtube," you will get an overwhelming number of search results. While plenty of these results are good, make sure the video you follow along with was created by fitness instructors who know what is and isn't safe for seniors. HASfit provides an exceptional exercise program for seniors. Coach Kozak and Claudia are both professional fitness instructors who craft carefully thought out courses for older adults. In each video, they provide viewers with two variations of the routine to match the different levels of fitness and physical ability their viewers may have.The courses are broken down into target zones or areas that seniors may want to strengthen or stretch out. They also tell you how many calories you'll burn if you complete the video, allowing you to incorporate their videos into your overall health routine. They also provide a difficulty rating and a preview at the beginning of the video so that you can watch first and decide if the workout is right for you.Let's take a look at a few of these options so that you can get a sense of how these exercise videos for seniors work.
Videos for Strength
Many of the HASfit videos are designed as strength training workouts. The instructors may incorporate small, two to five-pound hand weights. If you don't have weights at home, you can use a couple of water bottles. Many of the exercises rely solely on the resistance created by your own bodyweight, which means no equipment is required.Following along with the strength-building routines will allow you to learn more about proper form. There are plenty of simple routines you can do once or twice a day that will build strength. However, exercising with poor form may cause unnecessary strain.
Videos for Pain Relief
On some days, you may want videos geared towards pain relief, rather than strength. These videos will often feature the word "relief" in the title. For example, you will find a video called "Sciatica Exercises for Leg Pain Relief" as well as a video called "Neck Exercises for Neck Pain Relief."These videos will walk you through a variety of gentle stretches that will lessen your pain in targeted areas. When you practice these routines regularly, you may be able to rely less on over-the-counter pain relief pills and more on your own physical activity. Plus, many of these stretches will naturally build strength while improving your balance!
Staying Active While Aging
If you've been looking for ways to stay active while aging, exercise videos for seniors may be exactly what the doctor ordered. We recommend HASfit videos because they are versatile and put together by a team of professionals. The videos are free and available online 24/7 so you can start feeling good, today.At-home care is another great way to improve a senior's quality of life. Visit our at home care services page to find out more about the care we offer at Commonwise Home Care or call our Care Team today at 434.202.8565.
Disclaimer: Please check with your physician before making any changes to your diet, exercise, or medication routine.