6 Exercises Aging Adults Shouldn't Do  (2024)

Aging adults sometimes reach a point where they need to stop doing certain exercises due to the risk of injuries. Your loved one may also need help choosing safe exercises if he or she has been sedentary for any length of time. Most seniors should avoid the following six exercises to protect their health.

1. High-Impact Aerobics

Aerobic classes often look fun, and many are advertised as including elements of dance that make seniors want to join in. However, all of that jumping combined with fast movements could cause seniors to injure their joints. Seniors should choose low impact aerobics classes that allow them to stay safe and still move to the music.

Performing safe exercises is one of the most important everyday tasks in the golden years. Aging adults who require assistance with the tasks of daily living can benefit from reliable home care Oshkosh, WI, families trust Senior Stride Home Care to provide the high-quality care their elderly loved ones need and deserve. Our caregivers are trained to help seniors prevent and manage serious illnesses and encourage them to make healthier decisions as they age.

2. Deep Squats

Squats are great for strengthening leg muscles, but seniors should avoid any type of exercise that requires them to do deep knee bends. Deep squats place strain on knee joints, which is a common location for arthritis. It’s also difficult to maintain the correct form for squats with back or leg problems. Chair sits are a better alternative to deep squats.

3. Sit Ups

Your loved one might have once taken pride in doing 100 sit ups each day. However, the time to stop those sit ups and crunches is now. Seniors can still work on building their core by doing safer forms of exercise such as modified abdominal twists in a standing position. Planks with the knees on the floor and assistance from another adult are also ways to fit in core strengthening exercises without straining the spine.

Exercising is just one of the many ways older adults can remain healthy and continue to live at home independently. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to an assisted living facility. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Senior Stride Home Care, a leading elder care agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.

4. Sprints or Heavy Running

Running is another form of exercise older adults might have enjoyed throughout life. However, those running shoes can be put to better use on a walking path. Running can strain the cardiovascular system, which is particularly dangerous if your loved one tries to sprint or go past his or her body’s limit. Walking or a light jog is a much safer way to burn calories.

5. Stair Climbs

Climbing stairs gets more difficult as seniors develop health conditions such as arthritis. Ask your loved one to stop doing stair climbs, and provide a safer alternative. For instance, your loved one might prefer to do stair step aerobics that involve a low platform he or she can easily get up and down on. Your loved one can also do simple leg lifts at home with balance assistance so he or she is less likely to fall.

6. Standing Toe Touches

Toe touches are another go-to exercise for flexibility. However, this exercise requires bending over, which could lead to dizziness that contributes to falls. Your loved one may also find that trying to do a toe touch strains his or her spine. Toe touches done from a sitting position are a better choice, and your loved one can adjust how far to bend down according to his or her back strength.

If you’re unable to help your loved one exercise safely due to other responsibilities, consider hiring a professional in-home caregiver. In Oshkosh, respite care is a great help to many families. Caring for a senior loved one can be overwhelming at times, which puts family caregivers at risk for burnout. However, an in-home caregiver can take over your loved one’s care, allowing you the time you need to focus on your own health, maintain a full-time job, or care for other members of your family. Call Senior Stride Home Care today at 920-717-1767 to find out how one of our trusted respite caregivers can help you and your loved one maintain a high quality of life.