Seniors For Living

Boomerater, a free online resource for Baby Boomers helping you find everything from a wealth advisor to great getaway trips. Seniors for Living contributes its senior housing properties to Boomerater’s local directories including Atlanta assisted living facilities, Chicago Alzheimer’s Care and more.

A new Q&A discussion from Boomerater’s forums appears here each Friday. In this week’s post, learn tips about choosing the right fitness program to keep in shape.

Question: I am mid-50s and want to start going to gym but don’t want to over strain myself. What are the tips for someone getting started on this regime for the first time?

Responses from other Boomerater members:

Reply #1 – I am suffering from arthritic knees but was determined to get moving again. I found a wonderful ‘basic’ exercise regimen close to home, but what really keeps me going back is the music! Beach Boys and the Shirells make the experience of exercise dramatically different than counting reps! Anyway, I’m sure that the most important aspect of exercise is not what you choose, but that you keep going back. I unabashedly admit that it is not the exercise, but the music! Good luck.

Reply #2 – Check out the gym you are considering. See who the target clients are. See if they offer initial training with staff experienced in boomer-aging concerns. Take some lessons and most of all, listen to your body as to what feels right during/after the workout. Your body will know better than the trainer if some activities aren’t right for you personally. Good luck! It’s the best insurance policy we can write for ourselves

Reply #3 – A personal trainer can make a huge difference. For those of you starting a new fitness regimen, better late than never! If you haven’t been to a gym in a long time (or ever), it is worth your time and effort to work with a professional trainer. We all have friends that can show us a couple of exercises. But if you are interested in having a balanced program that suits your individual needs, one-on-one training is essential.

A few tips on finding a trainer:

1. Find the busier trainers. They are usually more sought-after for a reason.

2. Fit trainers exercise themselves regularly. They are usually more effective than an out-of-shape trainer.

3. They are certified, motivating, creative, focused and punctual.

4. They suit your individual needs and personality. It’s called “personal training” for a reason.

Once you have found your trainer, you have an obligation to be honest about your diet and lifestyle. Are you drinking/eating excessively? Are you doing cardio several times a week? Are you taking medications?

Healthful grains, fruit, eggs, and yogurt are a great way to start the day. ALWAYS eat a good breakfast! This will help you eat well the rest of the day and reach your ideal weight. Also eat chicken, fish, beans, vegetables, salads and lots of water. Come on, we all know what’s good for us by now! Beware of sports drinks, supplements (unless supervised by your doctor), and fad diets. A well balanced meal, lots of water, exercise and rest go a long way. Consistency is key and when you are new to anything, practice makes perfect. This is something you will do the rest of your life. The sooner you start doing it correctly, the sooner you will reap the wonderful benefits.

Find out what others had to say about finding a good fitness program on Boomerater.com.