Physical Activity Can Start At Any Age

Physical Activity Can Start At Any Age

As the baby boomer generation continues to age, more and more people are feeling those age associated constraints we never thought about until now.  People with disabilities need to heed the warnings more so than their able bodied counterparts. For years now, we’ve all read about the various physical and psychological benefits of physical activity, and many of us have vowed to start exercising next week, next month, or made it a New Years resolution. However, with two out of three Canadians not physically active enough to benefit their health, according to a recent report by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, it's clear that not too many of us have made it up from the couch. Yet physical inactivity is far more serious than we think, according to Health Canada, physical inactivity is the cause, chronic disease, disability and premature death.

One hour of moderate daily activity is necessary to achieve any long-term health benefits, according to the Canadian agency, and can be done in as little as 10 minutes at a time. Activities can include anything where movement is involved, such as walking, gardening, and even stretching and bending, and should become a regular and routine part of your day in order for them to reduce the risk of disease.

Mike Hayden, co-owner of the TopShape Fitness Studio, says more baby boomers are incorporating fitness workouts into their lifestyles than in the past. His studio, located at

95 Holland ave. is Ottawa’s Premiere Private Training Studio, sees an early-morning crowd that comes in for a 30 minute circuit class or a half hour of cardio exercise to start their day off, while others come in at noon for a work-out instead of lunch; people stressed out by their jobs often come in after work for the cities top one on one training.

“Exercise with a professional is smart because you get the knowledge on how to exercise for your body type”. “The trainer is there to teach you the program and remove the guessing.” “Our trainers are experts in different fields they will ensure you learn to train properly and reduce your risk of injury”. “You don’t go to a dentist for your eyes our trainers make it their business to know how to elevate your level of fitness.”

In all cases, it is advisable to see a physician for a check-up before starting slowly and building up to accumulate 30 to 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days. According to Health Canada, in order to get the most health benefits from physical activities, a variety of such activities should be chosen from the following three groups.

Endurance
 Continuous activities that make you feel warm and breathe deeply
  Increase your energy
  Improve your heart, lungs and circulatory system
Flexibility
 Gentle reaching, bending and stretching
 Keep your muscles relaxes and joints mobile
 Move more easily and be more agile
 

Strength and Balance

 Life weights, do resistance activities
 Improve balance and posture
 Keep muscles and bones strong
 Prevent bone loss

What's best about physical activity is that you're never too old to start and whatever your age or activity, the benefits will become apparent in a very short period of time. In as little as four months, those participating in some form of activity felt more energized, more relaxed and better able to cope with stress

Benefits of Regular
Physical Activity:
- Increased relaxation
- Sleep better
- Better physical and mental health
- More energy
- Movement with fewer aches and pains
- Better posture and balance
- Improved self-esteem
- Weight maintenance
- Stronger muscles and bones
- Relaxation and reduced stress
-For seniors, continued independent
  living

Getting
Started:
- Build physical activity into your daily
   routine
- Do the activities you are doing now, more
   often
- Walk whenever and wherever you can
- Start slowly with easy stretching
- Move around frequently
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator
- Carry home the groceries
- Find activities that you enjoy
- Try out a class at a fitness centre

“Until next time stay fit and be strong!!”

Peter J. Morel C.F.C, C.I.C, C.P.T.

President TopShape Inc.

www.topshapeinc.com