Who says life has to slow down as the years go by? The golden years are the perfect time to savor all that life has to offer, including the laughter, endorphins, and physical health that come with group exercise for seniors. This article looks at how breaking a sweat with friends isn’t just good for your physical fitness, it’s also the hidden key to mental, emotional, and social wellness for a fabulous senior life. We’ll review the benefits of group exercise for seniors and offer a list of some fun group exercises for seniors to try.
Benefits of exercise in general
Maintaining an active lifestyle becomes increasingly crucial for overall wellbeing as we age. Numerous studies have proven the benefits of exercise for older populations.
- Decreases risk of chronic health problems: Regular exercise is associated with increased longevity and reduced risks for cardiovascular disease, stroke, cognitive decline, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, hypertension, some cancers, and more.
- Lowers mortality rate: Research suggests that even modest increments of energy expenditure with physical activity may lower mortality by about 20%.
- Reduces risk of falls: Physical activity is shown to improve balance and coordination and increase muscle strength and mass, which reduce the risk of falls and injury.
- Enhances cognitive function: Physical activity, especially aerobic activity, directly correlates to strengthened cognitive function and a reduced risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s in older adults.
- Promotes concentration and clarity: Exercise stimulates the release of neurochemicals that promote learning, memory, concentration, and mental clarity.
- Strengthens emotional wellbeing: Regular exercise is associated with a lower risk of depression and anxiety in seniors, comparable even to pharmaceutical antidepressants. Moreover, the endorphins released during exercise help lower stress and increase positive mood in both the short- and long-term.
A consistent exercise routine is the best path to having a body that functions like a well-oiled machine with nimble joints, strong bones, a healthy heart, and a mind sharper than a tack.
Benefits of group exercise for seniors
While individual exercise has its merits, group exercise for seniors offers unique advantages. The physical, mental, emotional, and social benefits of group exercise for seniors contribute to holistic wellness that can drastically enhance quality of life.
Physical benefits of group exercise for seniors
Along with the positive health impacts mentioned in the previous section, there are even more physical benefits of group exercise for seniors.
Motivation and accountability
Studies show group-based physical activity creates a shared positive and confidence-building experience with peers. This creates a more enjoyable exercise experience that makes you want to keep coming back for more. Group settings provide a supportive environment that can motivate you to stick to your exercise routine. The sense of accountability with fellow participants encourages regular attendance and engagement, helping you reap the greatest benefits from your workout.
Diverse workout options
There is an assortment of group classes that cater to various fitness levels and preferences. This means you can enjoy a mix of aerobics, strength training, and flexibility with the different classes or groups you try out. A variety of workout options helps you find group exercise for seniors that suits your interests and health goals, which means you’ll be more likely to stick with your routine. Varying your exercise classes can also keep things fresh, making you more likely to keep up with your workouts.
Lower risk of injury
Most group exercise for seniors is led by an instructor who guides you through the different movements. They’ll ensure you’re doing the moves safely and correctly, which can help reduce the risk of injury during the workout. This is particularly important for individuals with chronic illnesses or a history of falls, whose injuries may have severe consequences or take longer to heal.
Even if the class isn’t led by an instructor, the group dynamic can help reduce the risk of injury. Fellow participants can help teach one another about form and technique, so you’ll learn how to safely do the movements.
Mental benefits of group exercise for seniors
Group exercise for seniors may have stronger cognitive advantages than individual exercise. That’s because many fun group exercises for seniors involve coordination and sequencing, like dance-based classes. This kind of synchronized exercise stimulates cognitive functions in new ways, like improving memory and learning.
Try a range of group exercise for seniors. The more types of workouts you try, the greater the learning curve – which means more cognitive benefits as well.
Emotional benefits of group exercise for seniors
Group exercise isn’t just about flexing your muscles. It’s also about flexing your social butterfly skills. Exercise, in general, is a great outlet for stress relief, helping to ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. The camaraderie of group exercise for seniors, in particular, fosters a sense of community and emotional support. These bonds can help reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness in older adults.
Moreover, accomplishing fitness goals in a group setting helps boost self-esteem and confidence. Positive reinforcement from peers also contributes to a more confident self-image. If you want to feel great about yourself, group exercise for seniors is the perfect place to start!
One of the best benefits of group exercise for seniors is making friends. Sharing fitness goals and experiences is a fantastic way to find like-minded individuals supporting one another. Strong friendships are one of the secrets to holistic senior wellness, and what better way to make new friends than healthy, exciting, fun group exercises for seniors?
Fun group exercises for seniors
It can feel intimidating to start any new exercise routine, particularly one where you’re surrounded by a bunch of unfamiliar faces. But keep in mind that everyone is there for the same reason: to make friends, release happy endorphins, and get their heart pumping. The perfect group exercise class will make you feel confident, healthy, and eager to return tomorrow for another workout.
Here are some accessible and fun group exercises for seniors that you might want to try:
- Walking groups: People in your area might gather at a local park, community center, or mall for regular group walks. Meetup.com, Facebook groups, and local recreation center bulletin boards are great resources to find local walking groups.
- Dance classes: Dance is a fun way to get a workout in without even realizing it. You can try ballroom dancing, line dancing, square dancing, or even hip hop. Check your local dance schools or gyms to find dance classes and other fun group exercises for seniors.
- Water aerobics: Water aerobics is a popular group exercise for seniors because it has a low impact on joints but still gets the heart pumping. Find water aerobics classes at your local pool, gym, or community center.
- Tai chi: Tai chi is a gentle, slow exercise that’s excellent for those seniors looking to boost their flexibility, balance, and mental health. You can find tai chi classes at gyms and rec centers, and some tai chi groups meet in nearby parks a few times a week.
- Chair yoga: Chair yoga adapts traditional yoga poses to a seated position, reducing the risk of injury or falls during the workout. Many older adults love chair yoga because it’s physically demanding but also encourages meditation and stress-relief. Check out GoGo’s YouTube chair yoga classes here to try it for free right now.
Want more ideas for fun group exercises for seniors? Read this article next: 7 Best Exercises Seniors Over 70 Should Do Daily.
Getting to group exercise for seniors
Actually getting to class is one of the biggest barriers for seniors looking to join group exercise classes. It’s a headache to get in the car, deal with traffic and bad weather, find a parking spot, and drive back.
Break down those barriers with GoGo Rides. GoGoGrandparent offers convenient, affordable transportation to and from your favorite group exercise for seniors. We arrange reliable rides 24/7, and you can even schedule rides in advance. This makes GoGo Rides a relaxing, stress-free way to get to and from your local park, gym, or rec center. And if you have any accessibility needs, GoGo’s operators will ensure your driver meets your requirements. Best yet, we have GoGo Guardians monitoring your ride every step of the way, providing a safe and comfortable drive to your fun group exercises for seniors.
Get all the benefits of group exercise for seniors
Group exercise for seniors offers a multitude of benefits, from improved physical health to enhanced emotional and social wellbeing. Embrace the opportunity to stay active, make new friends, and enjoy life to the fullest by participating in group exercises.
With GoGo Rides, accessing these fun group exercises for seniors is even more convenient. Grab your workout buddy, put on those dancing shoes, and let GoGoGrandparent chauffeur you to a world of health, happiness, and high-fives. Register with GoGoGrandparent today to enjoy convenient and reliable transportation to your next group exercise class. Experience the benefits of group exercise for seniors with the support of GoGoGrandparent
