Indoor Walking Workout Ideas for Seniors in Houston Independent Living
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Finding the right indoor walking workout can bring your home exercise regimen to the next level. The many benefits of walking, combined with the ease of indoor exercise, combine to form a safe indoor movement activity that has clear fitness advantages.
According to Mr Treadmill, the average human who lives until the age of 80 will walk over 200 million steps in their lifetime. Walking is a fundamental element of who we are as humans, and it is an important skill to maintain even in our senior years.
For seniors in Houston, TX, walking can be a wonderful opportunity to maintain independence and enhance physical fitness. In this guide, we will explore some of the benefits of walking, how an indoor walking workout can be effective, and other low-impact senior fitness exercises. Read on!
The Benefits of Walking
Although walking may seem like a simple workout, it has many tangible benefits. Getting your steps in every day can positively impact every part of your body.
Boost Your Metabolism
When you elevate your heart rate and consistently burn more calories, you can increase your metabolism. This will have a compounding effect, making it easier for you to burn even more calories.
Elevate Your Mood
Emotional wellness is just as important as physical wellness for seniors. The simple act of walking can provide a vital boost in mood, similar to a "runner's high."
Strengthen Your Core
Maintaining an upright position while walking for aging adults requires activating many different muscle groups, including your legs and even your core. Some indoor walking workouts include moves such as standing crunches, which activate those muscles further.
Build Endurance and Stamina
When you begin walking, you may notice that you can only walk for short distances or a handful of minutes. The more you commit to walking exercises, the more your stamina will increase. One day, you may be surprised to see how much your workouts have grown.
Improve Balance and Coordination
Seniors are more prone to falls, and with conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis, a simple fall can cause serious injury or even death. Maintaining balance and coordination is integral to the quality of life and reducing the risk of severe damage. Regular walking helps you practice stability and balance, so you are less likely to fall over.
A Cost-Effective Exercise Option
Although there are many different walking accessories available for purchase, all you really need is motivation, a decent pair of walking shoes, and space in your senior living community.
Do Indoor Walking Workouts Work?
It depends on your fitness goals. Indoor walking workouts certainly provide a workout equal to what you can get when at the gym or walking outside. If you require extra equipment, however, they may not measure up to the gym experience.
Is Walking Inside a House Effective?
Walking inside your home can be effective, but it might have different benefits than walking outside or in a larger indoor space. Often, walking workouts involve limited movement or marching in place, which will lessen the calories burned and the distance covered over the course of your workout.
Is Walking on the Treadmill the Same Thing as Walking Outside?
Sometimes. Many treadmills have adjustable features, where users can increase or decrease the incline and resistance of the machine to mimic natural terrain. It's important to note that a treadmill can never truly replicate an outside walk.
For most purposes, a treadmill serves as a suitable substitute for taking a walk outdoors, especially if you are unable to go outside due to weather concerns or mobility issues.
Other Low-Impact Senior Fitness Exercises
If you want to change up your workout regimen, consider adding other low-impact senior fitness exercises into your rotation, such as:
- Yoga
- Pilates
- Tai-Chi
- Water Aerobics
- Swimming
- Stationary Cycling
- Elliptical Machine
- Zumba
- Barre
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know It Is Time to Increase My Workouts?
When you begin to feel bored with your workouts, it may be time to make a change. Although mastering skills and hitting milestones can be gratifying, workouts are not effective unless you continue to push yourself.
Here are some ways that you can make your walking workouts more challenging:
- Increase frequency
- Increase longevity
- Add in tools like resistance bands or free weights
- Incorporate new body movements
- Find an accountability partner
How Should I Dress for My Indoor Walking Workout?
Wear clothes that are comfortable and easy to move in. If you are in the privacy of your own home, you can wear virtually whatever you want. However, materials such as cotton may be uncomfortable if you begin to sweat.
Footwear is an important element of the equation. Supportive footwear will help avoid injuries and balance issues while you are doing your at-home workouts.
For workouts that are stretch-heavy, it is better to wear elastic material that can accommodate a wide range of motion.
Is Staying Active at Home Better Than Going to the Gym?
It depends on factors like your budget and fitness goals. For some seniors on a fixed income, a gym membership is an unnecessary cost. However, others visit frequently, and the membership pays for itself.
If you want a no-frills workout that gets the job done, staying at home with a video will probably suffice. If you want to work with a group or a personal trainer, a gym membership may be worth the expense.
Houston, TX Retirement Wellness at Copperfield Estates
If you are bored and need to shake up your current wellness regimen, consider adding an indoor walking workout. This guide can help you determine the correct type of walking workout and how to plan and set achievable goals surrounding your exercise.
At Copperfield Estates Senior Living, our exclusive programs focus on senior health and wellness for our residents. Amenities such as housekeeping and maintenance, along with exclusive programs such as exercises geared toward seniors, aid our residents in cultivating a fulfilling lifestyle during their golden years.
Are you ready to discover all that our beautiful community has to offer? Reach out to us today to learn more. We can't wait to meet you!