Crossfit has become pretty popular among the young adults these days because it provides a good workout for your entire body by incorporating multiple exercise techniques from weightlifting and strongman to gymnastics, etc. It is considered a bit more extreme than your usual workout and some people criticize it for causing a range of injuries which could have been avoided if not for the rigorous program.
In reality, it covers all important exercises for your entire body but is there an age restriction? Is it riskier to put the elderly through Crossfit regime? Due to the nature of their work A Better Way in Home Care has provided some useful guidelines on how to provide physical activity for older adults.
Is Crossfit for Seniors?
There is no definitive yes or no answer to this question because each and every one of us has different bodies, strengths and weakness and results will vary. Still, it is worth noting that as we grow older we naturally lose some of our strength, flexibility, endurance, etc. This leads to an increased risk of injury. Due to all this, it is important to do these exercises with care and moderation, because if done incorrectly, there’s going to be more problems than benefits. Use a lighter weighted vest when starting cross fit.
The Benefits of Crossfit for Seniors
Crossfit is good for improving the general physical condition of your body and give it readiness and endurance for everyday life and activities. More strength and endurance is good for everyone, especially for the elderly who can benefit immensely by developing certain exercise patterns which would help them keep their body strong and in shape and thus less dependant on other people or aids.
Crossfit and Seniors
The Crossfit program is not set in stone. The amount of different exercises it spans enables it to adjust to people’s different bodies, physical fitness, age, and other variables. Most importantly, the flexibility of Crossfit allows for on-the-go changes ready to adjust to your current habits and ability. The best way to start, especially if you don’t have a lot of workout experience, is to hire a trainer who will guide you step by step and show you how to correctly progress through the regime and avoid injury.
With that said, injuries are something that can’t be entirely avoided, and when they do occur, it is good to have a trainer to guide you through the process of recovery by helping you stay fit and active. Since Crossfit for seniors has gained popularity, so have these trainers learned a lot in their work with older adults.
Another important factor that should be taken into consideration is that Crossfit is really not that expensive. When you learn your exercise rotation and gain some experience you can be your own trainer and apply everything you’ve learned. It’s all about discipline, dedication, ability to listen to your body and respect its limitations.
Stay Fit, Don’t Quit
It’s never too early or too late to start Crossfit. As we already mentioned it is very flexible and the variety of exercises it includes enables just about anyone to join a program, either on their own, with a trainer or in a group. It is very important to maintain physical activity on a regular basis and thus provide strength and independence of movement to your body.
Crossfit on a daily basis would be just perfect, but knowing yourself and your boundaries are even more important, and Crossfit allows you to alternate and compromise in order to keep you safe while being able to follow a program. However, you decide to do it, staying fit and active is key to leading a healthier life.
