Indoor Walking Workout for Seniors in Richmond Independent Living
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In summary:
- Many seniors can comfortably start performing short indoor loops of community spaces to engage in moderate activity.
- Hallways and community rooms can make this routine all the easier due to the creation of consistent routes and frequent rest stops.
- Set the amount of effort by judging whether you can talk, but not sing.
The Virginian is situated in the heart of Bon Air, near many of Richmond's cultural centers, providing a walkable neighborhood nearby. However, in the milder winters, it can be harder to get outside for short walks and other exercise, so what can you do instead now that National Wellness Month is over?
The indoor walking workout is the perfect alternative to help you build up steady habits as you move around, with short loops and low-impact exercise. The following elaborates on how these safe indoor routines can help you build up your:
- Stamina
- Balance
- Strength
- Confidence
So, get ready to engage in a Richmond, VA, retirement fitness session and start your progress toward a healthier you.
Will an Indoor Walking Workout Work?
Regularly walking indoors can often improve one's health by boosting stamina and stabilizing blood pressure. The steady, moderate movement for older adults is enough to battle an otherwise sedentary lifestyle.
At the same time, being active can help you avoid issues that often accompany senior life, such as preventable chronic illnesses and many diseases. A more active life also boosts the immune system, offering further benefits that help keep the doctor at bay.
What is the Best Low-Impact Exercise for Seniors?
The "best" low-impact senior exercise is one that you can engage in more often to make you more active.
The National Institute of Aging confirms that it's "never too late to start being physically active", and even if you are in a wheelchair, you have other options, such as chair exercise or yoga.
The Virginian offers a variety of regular events and activities. These include active opportunities to move more, and many can be adapted to your specific needs as a resident. If you wish to participate in one particular activity but require an accommodation, please let us know.
It's also a good idea to incorporate strength and balance training into your regimen as you become accustomed to the basic walking exercises. These can offer you the tools you need to make your walking sessions easier and also keep your entire body in the best condition possible.
Why Indoor Walking Fits Independent Living
Independent Living at the Virginian is a key point of pride for our staff, and we want to help you get the most out of your retirement in our community.
The living option allows you to set your own schedule and choose when you want to engage in exercise, giving you all the freedom you deserve. You can plan for 150 minutes of movement per week, as recommended by the CDC, and ensure that you continue to improve your physical health over time.
We have even designed our space to perfectly match the needs of those interested in indoor walking. Our safety features make sure that you can always have the support you need, including:
- Even flooring
- Handrails in key positions
- Lighting support in darker areas
- Benches and chairs for breaks
Seeing you move around the space may even inspire others in the community to join you, and we will want to encourage any new activity like this when possible.
The encouragement that a group of like-minded exercisers can give one another cannot be understated. However, make sure to avoid a strong sense of competition. Instead, remind people to gradually increase the intensity of their exercise over time, as recommended by the American Heart Association.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Long Should an Indoor Walk Be for Older Adults?
Don't start too fast, and accept that you may only be able to begin with short, ten-minute blocks. If you think you can comfortably handle it, perform multiple of these over the day to hit an exercise goalof thirty minutes.
However, over time, you may be able to bring yourself to get this amount done in one block or two shorter sessions.
Are Two 15-Minute Walks as Good as One 30-Minute Walk?
All minutes will add up, so long as you are exerting yourself and boosting your breathing pace alongside your heart rate. After all, you are not only exercising your limbs but also your heart and lungs simultaneously.
Two shorter walks may even be easier on your joints or your energy levels. As such, a brief morning and evening session may enable you to do more. You could even use these shorter sessions as an opportunity to invite others to join you in multiple blocks when they would not be available at another time.
Is Walking Inside the House the Same as Walking Outside?
While the indoors helps by reducing the amount of weather and traffic you must face, being outdoors gives you fresh air and potentially more variety. However, when it comes to the exercise itself, walking is walking, and so long as you are moving, it is equivalent.
When the spring days get longer again, you can even consider making the most of any garden area outside of your community to mix up the walk.
How Far Should a 70-Year-Old Aim to Walk Most Days
Don't focus on distance, but on time and effort. So, go as far as you feel comfortable, as your stamina allows, as the goal is to move and be active, not measure how far that movement is (unless you want to!).
Get Ready to Start Moving While Indoors
Starting a regular indoor walking workout around the hallways of the Virginian in Bon Air can help you build up a new lease of life. You could even invite a neighbor to join you to keep the habit fun, or ask staff to cheer you on each time you pass.
We ensure that our community's supportive services are tailored to residents' needs, boosting their independence where possible, and include offering positive advice during exercise.
To learn more about what this active aging support can do for our community, and what else you can expect from us, book a tour today. Discover the full range of our services today.