6 Types of Exercise that Aren’t Safe for Seniors (2024)

Seniors are often told they need to exercise to maintain their health. However, your aging loved one may not know exactly which exercises to do. Your loved one may even want to return to his or her former favorite workouts, which isn’t always the best idea. Seniors need to choose exercises that are safe for aging bodies, and the majority of older adults should avoid the following.

1. Running Stairs

Athletes often run stairs to build muscle strength and stamina at the same time. However, this form of exercise is particularly dangerous for seniors due to the intense strain it places on the heart along with the high risk of falls. Seniors can still get cardiovascular benefits from doing simple step exercises with the help of caregivers, or they can replace stair runs with slow jogs.

If you usually help your loved one exercise but need a break now and then, consider having a professional caregiver take over for you. Whether you need respite from your caregiving duties or your aging loved one needs live-in care, Clearwater, FL, Home Care Assistance can meet your family’s care needs. Our dedicated caregivers are available around the clock to provide transportation to doctor’s appointments, ensure seniors take their prescribed medications, and help with a variety of tasks in and outside the home.

2. Bench Presses

Weight lifting is a favorite form of exercise for many people who enjoy having strong muscles. While your loved one can still work with weights (with the doctor’s approval), he or she may need to give up this exercise. Bench presses require near-perfect form to prevent injury, and your loved one’s joints may no longer be up to the task. Try having your loved one use light free weights to achieve similar benefits without all the risks.

3. Hot Yoga

The combination of working out in a heated environment and performing yoga poses places seniors at serious risk for dehydration. Instead, have your loved one try a senior yoga class or do a few modified poses at home with help from you or a caregiver. Make sure the temperature where your loved one exercises is moderate and that he or she drinks plenty of water.

Many seniors are able to safely enjoy numerous types of exercise, especially with the help of trained professional caregivers. Home care professionals can be a wonderful boon to seniors. Whether they require around-the-clock supervision or just need assistance with exercise and household tasks a few days a week, seniors can enjoy a higher quality of life with the help of trusted in-home caregivers.

4. Sit-Ups & Crunches

When your loved one was younger, sit-ups were likely a go-to exercise in almost any workout program. While this exercise does build the core muscles your loved one needs for a healthy back and abdomen, it places too much stress on the neck and spine. Try helping your loved one do planks instead, as this takes stress off the back while building up the core muscles.

5. High-Intensity Interval Training

Younger adults use this workout method to fast-track their exercise regimens, and it has proven benefits for burning calories. However, a senior’s body won’t respond as well to the intense periods of exercise. In fact, this method can increase the risk of heart attack or stroke if the cardiovascular system can’t keep up. Try a low-impact circuit training method for safer results.

6. Solo Swimming

Swimming is one form of exercise that’s generally safe for seniors. However, those with health issues should know that swimming alone could leave them vulnerable to drowning. A slip-and-fall accident near a pool could have devastating consequences. Encourage your loved one to visit a public swimming pool for a workout or swim with a companion so he or she has help in case of an emergency.

Seniors who need help exercising safely can benefit from the help of trained professional caregivers. Clearwater elderly home care experts are available to provide high-quality care to seniors on an as-needed basis. From assistance with mobility and exercise to providing transportation to the doctor’s office and social events, there are a variety of ways professional caregivers can help your aging loved one continue to live independently. We will work with you to create a customized home care plan that’s suited for your loved one’s unique needs. Callthe Home Care Assistance team at (727) 330-7862 today.