5 Ways to Stay Physically Fit in Cold Weather

Winter health tips often mention staying warm and avoiding falls. But one of the most important winter health tips for seniors is to stay active. Physical activity during the winter months helps you reduce the risk of falling, maintain your independence, and lower the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and other illnesses. Here are five ways you can stay active and get regular exercise all season long.

Start Walking

Walking is a low-impact exercise with benefits that include boosting your immune system. Take regular indoor walks at a nearby shopping mall or fitness center. If you can’t get to one of those places, put on some fun music and walk briskly around your house. If the weather permits, bundle up and take a careful walk around the neighborhood.

Go for a Swim

Swimming is another low-impact aerobic activity that gets your heart rate up and strengthens your body. Local gyms and fitness centers offer lap swimming times as well as classes such as water aerobics or water Zumba.

Add Strength Exercises

This isn’t about adding bulky muscles – it’s about combating age-related muscle loss and staying strong enough to keep doing the things you love. If you have access to a gym, you can use the fitness equipment there. You can also do regular exercises to build strength at home. Here are some simple exercises to strengthen the different muscle groups.

Watch and Learn

When you can’t go outside to take a class, bring the class to your screen.

• This 10-minute sample workout video from the National Institute on Aging will ease you into regular exercise routines you can do anywhere.
• These videos will help you focus on your flexibility and balance.
• You can also find senior-focused fitness apps for your smartphone or tablet.

Make Fitness Social

Staying connected to others is important for your health and well-being. So take a fun fitness class where you can keep active and get social at the same time. Look at classes offered at your local community college, community center, YMCA, house of worship or gym. You can find classes for yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, ballroom and line dancing, circuit training, water aerobics, and more. You may also find bowling leagues and walking groups to keep you moving.

Did you know that at Stoneridge, it’s easy to stay active all winter? With a heated indoor saltwater pool, fully equipped fitness center, exercise classes, paved walking trails, and a dog park, you can find new ways to get moving and be social no matter what the weather is. Learn more about our wellness activities.