Committing to a fitness program can be a great launching point to starting a fitness regimen… and actually sticking to it. It’s a way to socialize and stay active with other like-minded people, and it helps keep you accountable in that there’s a repetitive nature to your workout. You can set goals and track your progress, either individually or as part of a group. Whether it’s classes around a certain discipline, or a program that mixes things up with a variety of activities, fitness programs designed specifically for seniors can be extremely rewarding and beneficial, too.
In Canada, there is a wide range of fitness plans available to seniors. Many of these programs are designed with different mobility levels and objectives, such as fall prevention, or strengthening areas such as balance. These classes may be available in person, online, or a hybrid of both.
There are many valuable online resources to help seniors get started on a fitness program. SAFE (Senior Adult Fitness Exercise) is a comprehensive bilingual video series that was put out by the McGill University Health Centre. Its aim is to improve the health, mobility and independence of older adults, as well as to help seniors increase strength, balance and flexibility to prevent falls, build confidence and maintain a good quality of life. EnhanceFitness is another group exercise program that was designed for older adults to improve their physical activity, energy and independence through a structured, low-impact class. Each session includes a warm-up, strength training, aerobic activity and flexibility work, and the one-hour classes are held two or three times a week. They are all led by certified instructors and include fitness checks to monitor progress.
There are also local community resources that offer great fitness programs for older adults. Probably the most well-known is the YMCA, which features a variety of senior activities such as Aquafit, tai chi and yoga.
Here are some additional senior fitness program resources:
ParticipACTION
ParticipACTION is a Canadian, non-profit, charitable organization that encourages people to get healthy by getting active. They have a video library with various categories, including seated and low-impact exercises that are ideal for older people.
Active Aging Canada
This is a national, non-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting healthy, active aging for older Canadians through education, research and advocacy. The organization provides free resources on physical, nutritional and mental health, along with at-home resources such as the Move for Life DVD and YouTube playlist.
Do Yoga With Me
Bookmark this Canadian-based YouTube channel, which offers a huge variety of yoga classes that are specifically geared toward seniors.
You can also take advantage of technology by using certain apps that will help you find local fitness resources, track your progress, switch up your workout routine and so much more. SilverSneakers GO is the mobile fitness app for the SilverSneakers program, which is a free fitness program for adults 65+. The app grants members access to on-demand video workouts and live online classes, and tracks their progress. It also includes guided workout programs and a digital membership ID.
MapMyWalk is a great tool for walkers to track distance, speed and elevation, and to discover new walking routes in their area. And FitOn has a section specifically for seniors, with various workout types such as cardio, strength and yoga.