Share

Balance and Low-Impact Exercises for Seniors

Here’s the thing about low-impact exercises – they can have high-impact results, especially for older adults. The movement has so many benefits. Researchers have shown that regular exercise can boost memory, metabolism, and, of course, mobility. 

We think being active should be fun. Eating good food isn’t a chore; moving your body shouldn’t be, either. At the same time, you don’t want to jump into an activity or exercise that could trigger old injuries or create new ones. The goal is to move gently but regularly.

Here are some low-impact exercises that accommodate that goal!

Tai Chi

Tai Chi is a perfect example of body movement that is low impact but high value. With flowing movements and, often, relaxing music, Tai Chi is a great way to strengthen the body and calm the mind.

Tai Chi benefits for older adults also include improved balance, arthritis pain relief, and reduced stress. 

Swimming

Swimming is an excellent exercise for older aults because the buoyancy of water supports joints and relieves pain. Swimming also boosts flexibility, muscle strength, heart health, and mental health. 

Stretching 

Mobility often becomes difficult for older adults, so routinely stretching is a doctor-recommended way to combat arthritis and back pain, reduce the risk of falling, improve posture, and increase blood flow and overall energy levels.

Almost every muscle has its own stretch, but here are some of the most important ones:

Quad Stretch – While standing or lying on your side, bend one knee, bring that foot up toward your back, and hold on to it with your hand. Hold for 25 seconds or until you feel discomfort. Repeat on the other leg.

Back Stretch – Put both hands behind your hips and gently bend backward to look up at the ceiling. Hold for a few seconds or until you feel discomfort, then repeat.

Tricep Stretch – Use one of your hands to push the opposite arm’s elbow behind your head and hold for 25 seconds or until you feel discomfort. Repeat with the opposite arm.

Walking

One of the best low-impact activities is simply getting out the door and going for a walk, and residents of Village Green Senior Living have abundant opportunities to do just that, both on and off campus. In addition, there are surprising benefits to walking every day!

A great way to get some walking in Village Green is to have a shopping day. All our West Seattle apartments are mere minutes from Westwood Village Shopping Center, where you can window shop through dozens of retail outlets on your way to a great cup of coffee.

In fact, Village Green West Seattle residents are less than a mile from several other lovely parks, including the gorgeous views of Westcrest ParkLincoln Park, and E.C. Hughes playground.

Elliptical Exercises

The elliptical machine is a no-impact exercise that causes minimal strain on the joints but is nonetheless a great cardio workout. It’s also a good exercise for controlling weight and improving balance while still working the entire body!

We encourage all elliptical users to stay hydrated, keep a firm grip on the handrails, and pay attention to their heart rates to be safe. And if you’re new to this exercise, as with any exercise, start slow!

Senior man working in gym. Male adult exercising on elliptical machine. Healthy lifestyle, fitness and sports concept.

Balance Exercises

Falls are a common cause of injury for older adults. Balance exercises are simple ways to improve coordination to help prevent accidents while staying active.

Here are some examples of our favorite balance exercises:

Balance Walking – Balance walking is a way to improve your balance by merely walking in a mindful way. This involves lifting your arms to shoulder height and slowly walking forward in a straight line, lifting your leg one at a time and holding it up for a few seconds before stepping, as you keep your head focused on one point in front of you.

Walking Heel to Toe – This exercise is similar to balance walking, except that instead of holding your legs in the air one at a time, you simply place them one in front of the other, heel touching toe.

Standing on One Foot – This activity involves firmly planting one leg on the ground while lifting the opposite knee straight up in front of you for an extended period of time while holding on to something sturdy for support.

Chair Exercises

Some of the best exercises, it turns out, don’t even involve getting out of your seat. Chair exercises are some of the best physical activities for older adults that are low impact on the leg joints. For these exercises, the person stays seated while moving the torso, arms, and legs to improve flexibility and work different muscle groups.

Examples of chair exercises that are great for older adults include:

Tummy Twists – Sit with good, upright posture. Hold a small exercise ball against the chest, with both hands and elbows outward. Slowly twist your torso left while keeping your posture. Then twist to the right. Repeat several times or until you experience discomfort.

Knee Lifts – While sitting with good posture, slowly lift the left knee to the chest and lower it back down. Repeat with another knee to do one set. Stop after a few more sets or when you start to feel discomfort.

Overhead Arm Raises – Sit upright in an armless chair with a one-pound weight in each hand, with your arms bent at your sides and your palms facing up. Slowly lift the weights over your head without changing the angle at which your arms are bent. Briefly keep them above your head, then slowly lower them to their original position. Repeat 8-10 times or until you experience discomfort.

Stay Active at Village Green

It’s harder to get exercise (and stay hydrated) as you get older, but low-impact and balance exercises make it much easier. 

At Village Green Senior Living, we make it easy for residents to get moving and stay active. With walking trails, on-site fitness rooms, classes, programs, and more, we invite you to explore our Washington communities and learn more! 

Related resources

Contact us

VillageGreen_Logo_RGB_Horizontal_Cream

Contact us

VillageGreen_Logo_RGB_Horizontal_Cream

Contact us