Indoor Walking Exercises for Active Seniors in Deer Park, TX
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Indoor walking exercises for seniors are lower-impact than those for young adults, but they're just as important. Whether you want to take slow, long walks or shorter, quicker ones, there are lots of ways for older adults to stay active.
NPR recently published CDC statistics citing 85% of seniors as not getting enough exercise. This makes sense considering the mobility challenges that come with age. However, it can lead to long-term health problems and exacerbate difficulties getting around.
Deer Park, TX, is a historic Houston suburb known for its natural beauty. Dow Park provides a great spot for walking and hiking. However, seniors who struggle with mobility can also enjoy their daily healthy aging activity on the grounds of their gorgeous senior living community.
Read on to learn how Morada Deer Park encourages daily movement for seniors with both unique exercises and a low-impact walking routine.
Do Indoor Walking Exercises Work?
Indoor walking exercises can work wonders when it comes to senior health and wellness. Here are some advantages you'll reap from these convenient and accessible workouts:
- Better heart health
- Improved circulation and blood pressure
- A healthier weight management routine
- Stronger bones and muscles
- Mood-boosting endorphin production
- Higher energy levels
Since those in active independent living need to maintain their autonomy over time, all of these advantages are important contributors to graceful aging.
How to Do Indoor Walking at Home
Harvard University reports that walking for 2.5 hours per week (or 21 minutes per day) reduces the risk of heart disease by 30%. To reap this benefit, however, you'll need to do indoor walking exercises the right way.
In your home in Morada Deer Park, start by marching in place. Make sure to do the workout in an area of your well-appointed apartment that features even, supportive flooring.
March in place for one minute. Then try some side steps and alternating kicks if possible.
That's your warm-up. Once you're done with that, do some quicker side steps and quicker kicks. Add in upper-body movements like clapping above your head or reaching forward with each arm.
However, walking in place is frequently the best indoor workout for those in active independent living. Spend about 25 minutes each day walking in place in your apartment.You can move as slowly or as quickly as you like.
Turn on the TV or play some music to make the workout feel less daunting. This stimulation can distract you from any minor physical discomfort that comes naturally with exercise. It might make it something to look forward to every day, rather than a stressor that you wish you could avoid.
Mobility and Balance Tips for a Successful Workout
To be as mobile as possible during your workout, make sure that you prioritize comfortable footwear. Orthotics will make your experience even better. Good shoes stop foot pain and ensure that you can balance in a secure and stable way.
Quality footwear gives you the chance to improve your posture by:
- Standing straight and tall to prevent back pain post-workout
- Looking straight ahead to nip neck pain in the bud
- Engaging your core to improve your stability
- Slightly bending your knees
- Lifting your feet as you walk instead of dragging them along on the ground
Listen to your bodywhen doing your workout. If you start to feel discomfort, adjust your posture. If the discomfort persists, stop the workout and try again later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Indoor Walking Exercises Better Than Outdoor Ones?
No! Neither is better nor worse than the other. Indoor walking exercises are just frequently more convenient for seniors.
This is because you can have an indoor workout right inside your apartment's beautiful, well-appointed spaces.
Indoor walking is also safer for seniors who have balance-related problems. You'll always be walking on an even floor. There's no opportunity for you to trip over branches or uneven pavement like you might outside.
Plus, indoor workouts make a low-impact walking routine easier to sustain. The even ground is easier on the joints and will keep you feeling great while enjoying other independent living amenities.
However, there are also several advantages to outdoor walking routines. Benefits include the following:
- Vitamin D from sunlight, which Current Nutrition Reports reports can stave off depression and anxiety
- Fresh air and natural light to provide a mood boost
- Getting into nature and feeling at peace with the world around you
Consider doing your walking exercises outside once or twice a week if you're physically able to do so!
How Can You Choose Between Senior Walking Exercises?
Choosing between indoor walking workouts may sound challenging, but those in independent living have an easy way to create a custom plan.
This involves talking with Morada Deer Park's compassionate staff members to come up with a routine together. They'll take your goals into account as well as your mobility restrictions and concerns. You can put together a plan for daily workouts and implement it independently.
Beyond that, seniors should make indoor walking a daily habit. If you do it on a consistent schedule, such as taking a walk every morning, you can turn it into a habit that you'll never forget about.
Finally, be careful not to push yourself too much in the beginning. Start with ten- to 15-minute exercise stretches to get your body moving. Yoy can tack five to ten minutes onto that time every week until you reach your desired final workout length.
Prioritize Independent Living Fitness Today
Committing to participating in indoor walking exercises can stave off a plethora of mental and physical health problems. Seniors in active independent living can enjoy better cognitive function and enhanced mobility throughout their golden years.
At Morada Deer Park, our robust indoor and outdoor amenities have helped seniors age happily while remaining healthy. This has earned us many five-star reviews on a variety of platforms and resident testimonials that set us apart from other Deer Park communities.
To learn more about healthy aging activity in our independent living community, contact us and schedule a tour of our amenities!