Squeeze exercise into your day
MANY Brits begin to struggle with walking and going upstairs from age 60. But regular exercise can help people to hold on to their independence, new research has revealed.
Health-conscious retirees are fighting old age by swimming, walking the dog and cycling.
In all, a third of people aged 65 and over are getting exercise into their routines at least four times a week, not least for fighting the signs of ageing and prolonging quality of life for as long as possible.
It clearly has benefits, as more than one in four (28 per cent) of those who do little or no exercise find simple daily activities physically demanding from as early as age 60, according to a study by health club Total Fitness.
Yet that percentage halves among those who do moderate exercise. Indeed, many active retirees were found to be more supple than those aged 35-44 who do little exercise — a quarter of whom claim to suffer from stiff joints, compared to just 16 per cent of over-65s who get plenty of exercise.
One in five retirees also says they try to stay in shape in order to do more activities with their grandchildren such as dancing (above), playing sports and going for walks.
When asked how they like to stay fit, swimming came out on top with 31pc saying they swim at least once a week. Other popular exercises include dog walking (21pc), cycling (18pc), yoga and pilates (17pc), and dance classes (8pc).
Swimming is a particularly good exercise for those more prone to stiffness or living with reduced mobility, as the water eases the strain on joints whilst still providing some resistance.
Other gentle exercises such as a brisk walk with the dog or half an hour of yoga are also effective ways to keep muscles working while gently raising the heart rate, says the health club.