Several (actually very many) weeks ago Jason Lewis of Strongwell.org asked if he could write a guest column centering on the health of our senior saints. Being a member of a church with quite a few folks with longevity I said "Sure!" and proceeded to allow life to interfere and his article got pushed back as much as my articles did. Here at long last is his article, and being a veteran of various forms of physical therapy I can say the advice for physical fitness for the elderly in this article is perfect. I personally like the advice on walking because I know for a fact that cardiologists set great store in walking
6 Fitness Tips for Senior Church Members
For seniors who are concerned about their physical health,
they may not know where to turn for help and support. Fortunately, many seniors
who are active in their churches find exactly that from fellow congregation
members when they make a commitment to getting fit. From exercise groups to
accountability partners, church families are a blessing for seniors who want to
improve their physical health.
1. Join Group
Exercises
Churches often have large fellowship halls and education wings that they can open for various classes throughout the week. And, many churches across the country are opening their doors for group exercise classes for seniors
who want to enjoy socializing, getting fit, and improving their overall health and balance. Some churches set their exercises to Christian music. Other churches focus on daily devotions to guide yoga classes, stretching exercises, and meditation.
No matter the type of exercise being offered, seniors find that joining exercise groups at church provides them with a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere that they have difficulty finding at gyms and other fitness centers. Seniors enjoy participating in exercises with their friends from church and are more likely to attend class in their church than elsewhere.
who want to enjoy socializing, getting fit, and improving their overall health and balance. Some churches set their exercises to Christian music. Other churches focus on daily devotions to guide yoga classes, stretching exercises, and meditation.
No matter the type of exercise being offered, seniors find that joining exercise groups at church provides them with a welcoming, comfortable atmosphere that they have difficulty finding at gyms and other fitness centers. Seniors enjoy participating in exercises with their friends from church and are more likely to attend class in their church than elsewhere.
2. Designate a
Fitness Buddy
Churches that promote fitness buddies as a critical component of getting fit also should welcome members and non-members to participate in their group exercises and fitness classes. Seniors will feel more comfortable when they can choose their fitness buddy, and the buddy may be a non-member. And, churches have a better chance of gaining new members when they open their doors to everyone.
3. Start Working for
the Church or Another Church Member
4. Invite Fellow
Senior Church Members to Go for a Walk
If you don’t like to walk alone, invite your fellow senior church members to start walking with you. You may walk to church on Sundays when the weather cooperates, plan to walk after Sunday services, or meet during the week at a nearby park or large shopping center that welcomes walkers to get fit indoors when the weather does not permit you to walk outside. Seniors who walk in groups tend to walk a little faster and a little further than when they walk alone. If you don’t get enough interest in your walking group, advertise in the church newsletter or bulletin to gain more members.
5. Become a Mentor
6. Seek Guidance
Senior church members have several options when it comes to getting fit. You may want to try joining an exercise group at church, designating a fitness buddy, working for the church or a fellow church member, inviting fellow senior church members to join you for a walk, or becoming a mentor to a younger congregant.
Image via Pixabay by ZOE-Animation-Studio
Many of the senior (and non-senior) people going to our church are fat and weak. In a way, the Church facilitates that with the "love me just the way I am" (fat, weak and chronically ill) mindset. Then there's the donuts that are there every Sunday, and the Coke machines...
ReplyDeleteIt's really sad. I work in healthcare and I know what fate awaits these people if they don't do something.
There's too much socializing that's centered around eating. I'd rather have a social event that centers around hiking or volleyball. We even have an indoor basketball court at our Church. Unused of course.
But on a brighter note, I went to a Crossfit box a few years ago that had a short Bible study before the WOD every Wednesday. Too bad the box moved...
You seriously would like to see an octogenarian volleyball league?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete1. This blog is not for advertising anything but the redemptive power of Christ
Delete2. You missed the entire point of this blog entry, do you seriously expect a 75 year old woman to get down into the "Front Leaning Rest Position" and do a high rep "body sculpting" routine? Keep your spam to yourself.