The Best Medicine is Exercise for Seniors

I have many friends that are MD’s and we keep each other up-to-date in both the medical and fitness worlds. Most of them are either currently Proper Strength Training with me now or have in the past.

I had a conversation with one of these friends with a very successful practice comprised mostly of patients over the age of 40. He told me that when he gets a new patient (40 or older), he doesn’t ask “do you take medications” rather he asks “what medications are you taking”. I can tell you that his statement really got my attention and quite frankly, I was stunned that so many people are turning to pharmaceuticals to remedy all their issues.

Now, I certainly understand the need for medications and if it were not for the advancements in medicine our life expectancy would not be what it is today. Throughout my forty years in fitness, supervising and training thousands of individuals of all age, we know that by implementing an exercise program for seniors, they will potentially have a better quality of life and in many cases, they can live life “medication free”.

I recommend 4 key modified high intensity strength training exercises for seniors because as the aging process takes place, it be comes difficult to bend down and push-up with your legs and arms. I have noticed two very visible physical changes that are may be avoidable with specific strength training exercises for seniors which are:

The senior’s head starts to tilt forward

The senior’s posture begins slumping toward a stooping round-shouldered effect and the spine compresses both causing a reduction in height

Believe it or not, there are 4 key strength training exercises for seniors that if performed two or three times per week, can bring back that senior to a level of functional ability that no other form of exercise is capable of doing.

Exercise #1-Leg Press Squat (Legs & Buttocks)

Exercise #2-Seated Dip (Triceps & Chest)

Exercise #3-Seated Row (Biceps & Upper Back)

Exercise #4-Manual or 4-way Neck (Posterior Extension of the Neck)

These 4 exercises for seniors, if performed in strict form two or three times per week, will allow the senior to stay stronger-longer so they can continue their daily activities at home and (2) remain active in their favorite sports & recreation.

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