Walk around
Don’t worry: You don’t have to invest in a treadmill for your home (unless you want to). Walking around an indoor track, mall, museum or office building are just a few ideas to get you out of the house and on the move. According to SilverSneakers2, walking is a low-impact activity to help keep your bones strong.
Yes to yoga
Just say ommm. Yoga is a low-impact practice, geared to building core strength and improving balance, cites SilverSneakers3. This combination helps reduce your risk of falls. Anybody can try yoga because there are so many types of forms. You can even do yoga from the comfort of your chair. Whether you’re looking for restorative or challenging poses, you might enjoy taking a class at a local yoga studio, recreation center or from watching videos online.
Dive in
If your local recreation center or gym has a pool, now might be a good time to get your toes wet. It’s pretty common for most indoor pools to offer water aerobics or swimming classes. Both are low-impact activities. Moving in water can help support your joints and help build muscle strength, says SilverSneakers.4 PS: Still looking for another place to walk? Try the water. It’s easier on your feet, knees and hips, reports SilverSneakers.5
Crank up the tunes
Dancing is an aerobic exercise that builds core strength, improves flexibility and reduces stress, cites Everyday Health.6 From tango to ballet, there are so many dance styles to fit your mood and interest. Your local dance studio or gym might have a roster of classes, but you could always take one virtually, if you prefer. Or not! Turn up the music and let the rhythm move you.
Focus on strength
Strength exercises (also known as resistance training) help keep your bones strong and reduce your fall risk, notes SilverSneakers.7 Examples include:
- Using resistance bands
- Wall push-ups
- Lunges
- Crunches
- Squats
- Lifting weights
You can watch videos of how to do all these exercises online, but if you’re new to strength training and have questions, it might be a good idea to make an appointment with a personal trainer at your local gym or recreation center.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to stay on the move this winter, even if you find yourself indoors. Lace-up your sneakers and get going!