Summer is the perfect time to get active and soak up some vitamin D. Outdoor senior workouts are a great way to maintain your physical health while enjoying the great outdoors, nurturing your mental wellness, and making new friends.
Being outside amongst the blooming flowers and chirping birds promotes relaxation and mental clarity. Studies show that being in nature reduces cortisol levels, lessens muscle tension, and lowers heart rate and blood pressure. In fact, being in nature may even lower rates of heart disease.
So grab your SPF, and let’s dive into some of the best exercises for seniors this summer.
1. Morning stretches in the park
Energize your morning with gentle stretches in your yard, garden, or local park. Limbering up your muscles improves flexibility, increases blood flow, and boosts your immune system.
And doing your senior exercises outside first thing in the morning will give you a boost of vitamin D, which helps regulate your body’s internal circadian rhythm. This leads to more energy throughout the day and improved sleep quality in the evening.
Check out these resources to get started with stretching senior workouts:
2. Sun salutations yoga
The benefits of yoga for seniors are numerous, like enhancing strength and flexibility, lessening stress, improving mental clarity, promoting positive mood, and reducing fall risk.
Roll out your yoga mat amidst the lush greenery in your local park for double the benefits. The purpose of yoga is to inspire a deeper connection between your mind, body, spirit, and the natural world around you. Doing yoga in nature is a beautiful way to cultivate mindfulness and inner peace.
You can do yoga by yourself for a more meditative practice or find free or low-cost yoga classes for a more social experience. Many senior centers, gyms, and yoga studios host sessions outside in parks or community gardens.
3. Park bench yoga
Chair yoga is often preferable for senior workouts because it’s low-impact and accessible for all skill levels. Chair yoga is the best exercise for seniors that promotes flexibility, balance, strength, lung health, joint health, blood pressure, mood, mental clarity, and many other benefits.
But you don’t have to stay indoors to do chair yoga – use park benches! Adding the nature element is a convenient, fun way to build strength and endurance while soaking up the sunshine.
Did you know GoGoGrandparent offers free chair yoga classes on YouTube? These classes are led by professional yoga instructors who teach safe, effective senior exercises. You’ll love our free guided courses, whether you’re just starting chair yoga or it’s already a cornerstone in your active aging plan.
Note: Make sure to check the stability of the park bench before using it for exercises.
4. Dance classes under the stars
Put on your dancing shoes and groove to the rhythm of a gorgeous summer night. Dance classes are an enjoyable, social way to stay physically and mentally active. Dancing has been shown to improve coordination, balance, and cardiovascular health, and classes are a social activity that fosters connections while boosting mood and confidence.
There’s a dance class to suit every taste and skill level, from salsa to ballroom to line dancing. Start with low-impact dance styles led by an instructor to learn the moves and avoid overexertion.
Many summer dance classes are offered outside, often in the late afternoon or evening when it’s a bit cooler. This can be a wonderful way to enjoy the beautiful summer nights while unleashing your inner dancer.
5. Local hikes
Lace up your hiking boots, pack some healthy snacks, and head out for a trek through nature’s playground. Hiking strengthens muscles, boosts cardiovascular health, and enhances mental wellbeing. Exploring the great outdoors also reduces stress and enhances mood, making it the best exercise for seniors who want to spice up their routine with thrilling outdoor adventures.
If you’re new to hiking, a leisurely stroll in a scenic park is a great way to promote safe active aging. If you’re a hiking pro, challenge yourself with hills or new trails. But always be sure to bring a cell phone to call help if you need it.
6. Go for a refreshing dip
Summer senior workouts wouldn’t be complete without a splash in the pool. Swimming is the best exercise for seniors who want a full-body workout that’s low-impact on the joints. Swimming is a total-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and flexibility. Studies show that swimmers have about half the risk of death compared to inactive seniors. Plus, a dip in the pool will help keep you cool on hot summer days.
You can join your local pool or gym to enjoy laps in your free time, or you can join a swimming class or water aerobics class to make new friends.
Note: Never swim alone, and always swim where lifeguards are present.
7. Green thumb fitness
Grab your gardening gloves because gardening is the best exercise for seniors with a green thumb. Digging, planting, and weeding help strengthen muscles, improve coordination, and reduce stress levels. The satisfaction of watching your garden bloom can lead to a sense of accomplishment that has major benefits on mood and confidence.
Start small with a few plants or containers that will bring you joy. Invest in ergonomic tools to avoid muscle and joint strain. If you don’t have a garden or yard, consider getting involved at a local community garden where you can make friends and stay social.
Safety notes for summer senior workouts
- When doing any senior exercises, don’t push yourself beyond what your body can handle. If anything hurts, readjust or stop.
- Consider exercising with friends to keep each other safe and motivated during your workouts. Plus, making exercise a social experience makes senior workouts even more fun!
- Always have a cell phone or emergency button on hand in case of falls, dizziness, or injuries.
- If it’s hot outside, move your senior workouts inside to avoid dehydration, heat stroke, or other heat-related injuries.
- Bring water with you and stay hydrated when exercising or outdoors.
- Be mindful of uneven terrain and wildlife when hiking or exercising outside.
- Let someone know your senior exercise plans so they can find you if they need to.
- Wear SPF, hats, and protective clothing to avoid harmful sun rays.
Want more senior workouts? Check out these 7 daily senior exercises you can do at home.
Summer senior exercise
Whether stretching in the garden, swimming at the local pool, or cultivating plants in your backyard, there are tons of senior workouts that will promote your health while letting you enjoy the great outdoors this summer. Active aging is critical to maintaining independence later in life, so finding fun, exciting senior workouts is key to promoting a strong quality of life.
And you don’t need to worry about getting to and from the local park, pool, gym, or garden. With GoGoRides, you can sit back and relax with convenient and reliable transportation wherever you want to go. Simply call our number, request a ride with one of our friendly operators, and a vetted driver will pick you up. Our GoGoGuardians monitor your ride from start to finish so you can feel confident someone’s looking out for you on your journey. Sign up for GoGoRides today to make your summer workouts and social activities easy and stress-free.
