health page 21

As you get older, there’s still plenty you can do to stay fit and active long
into retirement. While it’s a good idea to hold back on the high-intensity
workouts, there’s loads of exercises you can do to get your heart rate up.
To help you stay healthy, here’s our pick of the three best cardio workouts
for over 50s. These are sure to get the blood pumping and help keep your
cardiovascular system in great nick.
Walking
While walking isn’t exactly the most intensive form of exercise, it’s a great
way for people of all ages to maintain their health. A regular walking habit
can help prevent heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke according to the
N.H.S making it a great way to stay healthy for years to come.
Walking is a low-impact exercise that doesn’t put any strain on your joints,
making it a fantastic way to keep fit. Get together with a walking partner or
join a walking group and it’s also a great way to socialise.
If you want to reap even more benefits from your walking habit, then make
it a bit more of a challenge with some light resistance — the ankle and
wrist weights from Powerhouse Fitness are perfect for this. You should
also ditch the concrete jungle in favour of the great outdoors. Getting out in
the fresh air and taking a walk among nature can increase your energy
levels, improve the quality of your sleep, and help to reduce stress
according to Live Strong. Who knew talking a walk in nature could be so
good for you?
Swimming
With Fall and Winter on our doorsteps if you’re looking for something a bit more
active, look no further than swimming. It uses just about every muscle in your
body, giving you a full body workout every time you get into the pool. However,
it doesn’t do any damage to your joints, making it the perfect way to raise your
heart rate without putting your body in harm’s way.