Countless studies tell us that exercise helps us live longer and better. Sydney-based personal trainer and nutritionist, Pip Reed, says there’s so many benefits to being active. It improves heart health, builds the immune system, wards off illnesses and can help combat stress. “If you can prevent chronic disease, you’ll have a better quality of life as you age,” she says. Here, Pip explains three of the best exercises to do — whatever your age.
“Resistance training is probably the best exercise you can do, no matter how old you are,” says Pip. Simply introduce weights or resistance machines — such as cross trainers — into your routine. These can help with muscle development, increase bone density, manage weight, improve sleep and prevent chronic disease. “It’s the best form of exercise for preventative health care.”
Swimming and walking are two of the easiest (and cheapest) workouts and both are great for mental and physical wellbeing. “These types of activities are good for insulin resistance — decreasing blood sugar and helping your body process glucose,” Pip reveals. “They also help with weight management, improve your cardio-respiratory function, boost your mood and assist with sleep.” Swimming is particularly good because it supports and tones muscles without putting pressure on joints.
Another form of aerobic activity, dancing has similar benefits as swimming and walking, plus a few of its own. “It has the added benefit of being a social activity, especially if you’re partnering up, and it helps brain and memory function because you’re doing more routines,” says Pip. “Plus, it’s fun!”
What’s great about all three activities is that they can be adapted to suit any fitness level.
"You can vary the difficulty by decreasing or increasing weights, or going as hard as you like swimming or in a dance class. And, there’s nothing to say that we can’t increase our intensity as we age.” Pip Reed
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