Persons between the ages of 49 to 67, collectively known as the Baby Boomer generation, have to take more steps to prevent injuries than persons in younger demographics. Exercise may become more difficult as we age, but with the right fitness regimen, it doesn’t have to be a chore. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has come out with a press release that discusses the injury prevention techniques baby boomers should be putting into practice.
The release points to the importance of both stretching and warming up, and it goes out of its way to distinguish between the two. When you stretch, you’re loosening up your muscles so that cramps and soreness don’t result from your exercise. Many stretches will require you to stand in place. And while they’re important, they’re not necessarily a warmup.
A warmup actually requires you to get moving. When you’re done stretching prior to a workout, jog for a little bit before you turn up the intensity and really start to hit your stride. Conduct a series of sit-ups, jump a rope, or do whatever else you feel comfortable with, so long as it gets your body sweating and ready to go.
As you age, it’s also important to make sure you’re executing the right techniques with your exercise, and that’s where a personal trainer comes in. He or she can instruct you on both the types of workouts you should be engaged in and the ways to optimize your time during those workouts. You could be moving your body in a manner that contributes to an injury without your even realizing it, and a trainer can set you on the right course.
It’s going to be vital to strive for balance in all aspects of your exercise as you grow older. Instead of just running, get some strength training and flexibility exercises in as well. Rather than focus on lifting weights that bulk up your upper body, engage in cardio and alter the types of weights you lift so that all sets of muscles get a workout.
Balance also extends to the amount of time you spend working out. There has to be a middle ground between pushing yourself too far and not pushing yourself enough. Three or four days per week is probably going to be your optimum level, and even on days when you can’t make it to the gym, think about taking a quick walk around the block so that you get some activity in.
By the same token, though, be willing to pull back the intensity if you’re not feeling up to a workout due to some type of injury. After particularly grueling exercise, plan to rest so that your body can recuperate from what you’ve just put it through.
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