Why a Senior Apartment with a Fitness Center Supports Healthy Aging
Moving into an apartment with a fitness center can improve a senior's mental and physical health. A Farmington, CT, senior living community's onsite exercise amenities may enhance your longevity and quality of life.
According to the World Health Organization, about 1.8 billion adults don't meet the recommended levels of physical activity. Inactivity may increase your risk of serious chronic conditions. To reduce your risk, consider moving into an apartment with a fitness center.
Prioritizing active senior living may enhance your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. It could reduce your risk of serious health conditions while improving your quality of life.
You can enjoy onsite exercise amenities through your Farmington, CT senior living community. Read on to discover how their senior fitness programs can benefit your wellness and independence!
How Much Physical Activity Do Seniors Need?
According to the CDC, every week, adults aged 65 and older need:
- 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity
- 2 days of muscle-strengthening activity
- Activities to improve their balance
Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity a day for five days a week. Moderate-intensity aerobic activities can include:
- Active forms of yoga
- Brisk walking
- Hiking a trail
- Water aerobics classes
- Riding a bike (outdoors or stationary)
- Mowing the lawn
- Raking leaves
- Learning a new dance
Getting regular physical activity can help your muscles grow stronger. This may improve your ability to complete activities without becoming dependent on others.
Benefits of Senior Fitness Programs
Relying on local senior fitness programs allows you to stay active in a safe, structured environment. Potential benefits of moving into a senior living community with a fitness center include:
- Weight management
- Reduced feelings of loneliness
- Improved balance (reducing your risk of a fall or injuries)
- Improved mood
- Increased muscular strength
- Increased mobility and flexibility
- Enhanced cognitive function
- Increased stamina
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Reduced stress
Here are a few specific ways an apartment with a fitness center supports healthy aging in assisted living.
Active Senior Living
Gaining access to onsite exercise amenities may encourage you to exercise regularly. Active senior living may reduce your risk of losing muscle and bone mass.Improving your physical strength will allow you to maintain your mobility and independence.
You can counteract potential bone and muscle loss with strength training. Improving your strength and stamina may reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as:
- Obesity
- Hypertension
- Colon cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, regular exercise could reduce the incidence of acute respiratory infection. Exercise may strengthen your immune system, improving your health and longevity. Study participants also showed improvements in general mental health, stress, and depressive symptoms.
Explore your senior living community's fitness program to discover fun exercise classes. You can find classes based on your health concerns and abilities. For example, low-impact range-of-motion exercises are ideal for patients with arthritis.
Improved Mental Health
Exploring your community's senior fitness programs can benefit your mental health. According to this study, exercise may offer protection against cognitive decline. Regular exercise may reduce your risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Look for exercise classes that involve mind-strengthening activities, such as:
- Memory games
- Coordination exercise
- Problem-solving tasks
These exercises engage the mind by encouraging neural pathways to form. This promotes neuroplasticity, which may improve focus and memory retention.
Exercising boosts the body's production of endorphins, which may improve your mood. This triggers the release of brain chemicals (neurotransmitters) like:
- Dopamine
- Oxytocin
- Serotonin
These neurotransmitters may distract you from your worries during and after exercise. Reducing feelings of stress and anxiety can improve your mental health and quality of life.
Socializing
Moving into a senior living community that offers on-site exercise classes will encourage you to socialize. Otherwise, social isolation may increase your risk of:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Cognitive decline
- Alzheimer's disease
- Heart disease
- A weakened immune system
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
Socializing with other seniors can enhance your emotional health. It can give you a sense of purpose and belonging.
Explore your senior living community's events and activities calendar to make new friends. Otherwise, join a fitness class and ask friends to join you. You can hold one another accountable to attend regularly.
Socializing regularly can:
- Foster a sense of community and belonging
- Improve your mood
- Reduce your risk of anxiety and depression
- Strengthen relationships
- Improve your cognitive function and memory
- Reduce stress
- Increase your self-esteem and confidence
- Reduce your risk of chronic diseases
Frequently Asked Questions
What Senior Fitness Programs Are Available?
Common senior fitness programs available through senior living communities include:
- Aerobic exercises
- Flexibility and balance programs
- Strength training programs
Aerobic exercise programs may benefit your cardiovascular health.These exercises involve rhythmic movements to engage multiple muscle groups. Examples include walking and swimming.
Flexibility and balance programs can benefit your range of motion.Examples include:
- Stretching
- Tai chi
- Yoga
- Pilates
These exercises may reduce stress, improving your mental and emotional well-being.They could help reduce your risk of injuries, improving your mobility and independence.
Strength training programs include:
- Weight lifting
- Bodyweight exercises (lunges, squats, pushups, etc.)
- Resistance training
These exercises may improve your balance and bone density. Explore your senior living community's fitness program to determine what classes are available.
What Are the Best Fitness Classes for Seniors?
The best fitness classes for seniors vary depending on the individual's:
- Mobility
- Underlying health conditions
- Personal preferences
- Age (causing balance issues or loss of muscle mass)
Consult a fitness professional through your senior living community. They can help you determine which exercises are best based on your health and abilities. Their expertise can help you avoid potential injuries.
Find Your Apartment With a Fitness Center
Don't neglect your Farmington senior health. Instead, choose an apartment with a fitness center and on-site exercise amenities. Choosing the right senior living community can enhance your mental, physical, and emotional well-being.
At Discovery Village Farmington, we combine the comforts of home with the ease of resort-style living. Discover our six exclusive lifestyle programs, including table service through Sensations Dining, engagement through Celebrations Activities & Events like mahjong club, and Dimensions Health & Fitness like chair yoga. Contact us now to schedule your tour.