Experts tell us the longer we remain active, the longer we’re likely to live.
We see them all the time, seniors engaged in physical activity. Bryan Watkins of Watkins Fitness says there’s a good reason for that.
"So to make sure that we’re comfortable with our daily activities, working on your balance, coordination, vision and anything that’s going to improve lifestyle and make you feel more comfortable going about your daily activities is going to help improve the strength of your heart and your general well-being," Watkins says.
Doug Russell has been working with Bryan for several years – I asked Doug how they met.
"My wife introduced me to the concept of physical fitness at her gym. And I happened to run into Bryan who became a personal trainer as opposed to – he’s a physical fitness trainer for me and it just became a match that I suddenly realized that strength training wasn’t what was needed for old people," Doug says.
He’s right – what’s more important as we age is the physical ability to avoid falls. Falls are the number one cause of hospitalization for seniors.
"What I needed was agility, continuing to have some flexibility, and most of all balance. When we get older, going downstairs is no fun. You want to hold on to the rail, you want to watch your feet," Doug says.
Now, Doug says, he doesn’t have to worry about those things. Would he recommend a similar course of action for seniors?
"I certainly would. I’m more balanced, I’m not stronger – at 93 I’m older. But I’m more balanced than I was five years ago," he says.
To prove his routine has improved his balance and agility, Doug and I went a couple of rounds. He wore me out.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
