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6 Tips For Staying Active Over 60

As we all know, these days, the benefits of being active is crucial and not just for our body but for our mind and social lives. Age is just a number and you’re only as old as you feel!

So, we’ve got together some of the easiest tips for staying active into your 60s and beyond. As always, seek advice from your doctor or physio before starting a new exercise routine – they will be able to provide you with some fantastic ideas that suit you, your body and your lifestyle!

  1. Opt for low impact activities such as yoga, pilates, swimming, resistance training and walking. These will strengthen your muscles, increase your bone density (due to weight bearing) and most importantly, won’t aggravate your joints. In fact, osteoarthritis sufferers are often encouraged to complete low-impact resistance training as a part of their treatment as it supports the body in healing as well as coming back stronger than before. 
  2. Bring out your inner child through activities that focus on movement and fun! Ideas such as creating some art, blowing bubbles and bumping balloons in the backyard with your tiny grandchildren, or challenging your older grandchildren (or passers-by) to water-balloon wars. Laughing so hard your stomach hurts counts as exercise too!
  3. Get out with nature and enjoy everything the great outdoors has to offer. This could include a bush walk (make sure you have supportive shoes, and choose a walk that suits your fitness level), a bike ride or even a quick dip for some laps can do you the world of good. Appreciate the change of seasons, the coast all the way to the bush, and use your time exploring to enjoy the fresh air. 
  4. Get your friends involved and choose an activity that has more than just the social benefits! A weekly walk around the river, or lawn bowls and croquet can all be fantastic active options that are shared with great friends. Activities like these also give you the opportunity to meet new people, and develop your social network. Any activity that gets you socialising is a fantastic option, and there is nothing better than looking forward to a weekly social date.
  5. Increase your heart rate and improve your overall health by working on your cardiovascular endurance. This can have huge benefits to weight management, the condition of your heart and the management and prevention of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Engaging in more vigorous activities can be daunting at first, so it could be worth working with a personal trainer, physiotherapist or being a part of a group fitness class targeting people over 60. This will mean you have guidance throughout the entire session, and have a qualified person to ensure you are working in a way that is meaningful to you and your health. 
  6. Enjoy time with family and include active ideas into your gatherings. Whether it be backyard cricket, an Easter egg hunt or a game of charades after lunch, any kind of game or activity that has the potential to bring the group together and get active is a fantastic opportunity. You’ll treasure the photos forever, and your family will have fantastic memories of you and your life.

The team at Progressive Sports & Spinal Physiotherapy are an experienced team who can talk you through your exercise options, particularly if you’re cautious about getting started. If you’d like to take the first step to preventing or better managing an array of lifestyle diseases with the help of exercise, contact the practice today on (02) 4721 7798, email info@progressiverehab.com.au or click here to book an appointment online today.

 

At Progressive Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy Penrith, we are able to assess, treat, educate and manage all musculoskeletal injuries. We focus on hands-on treatment, exercise prescription and self management techniques tailored to your specific needs. We utilise evidence based treatments to maximise your outcomes.

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Elin, is an alumni of St. Edward’s University and holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, furthered her academic journey by attaining a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Macquarie University in 2022.

Her passion for sports, particularly football (soccer), is evident in both her academic pursuits and personal endeavors. Specialising in the comprehensive well-being of athletes, Elin focuses on restoring them to peak performance while actively preventing future injuries.

Elin’s professional expertise is centered on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, with a specific emphasis on addressing and preventing knee injuries. Her approach integrates expert treatment with a commitment to educating and empowering patients, fostering their active involvement in enhancing their health and overall quality of life.

As an active participant in NPL football with SD Raiders, Elin brings firsthand experience and a profound understanding of the sport’s demands. Beyond the field, she extends her influence by contributing sports coverage over the weekends.

Christopher (Chris) Han graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, and then completed the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Macquarie University in 2018. Chris is currently undertaking his PhD at the University of Sydney and Institute for Musculoskeletal Health in the field of low back pain and is due to complete this in early 2024. 

Chris is currently an assistant Physiotherapist for the NRL Referees. Chris has previous experience as the head Physiotherapist at Panthers Premier League Netball and a number of elite sporting athletes in the private setting.

Through Chris’ experiences, he has a particular interest in all areas of the body and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports, vestibular rehabilitation, and Men’s Health (pre and post prostate surgery).

Suzanne graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Health Science (Sports and Exercise Science) in 2015. She then went on to continue her studies at Macquarie University graduating from the Doctor of Physiotherapy post-graduate degree in June 2019.

Since graduating, Suzanne has worked in the local Penrith area in both private practice and Sports Physiotherapy. Suzanne has worked with sporting teams including Penrith District Netball Association, Mt Druitt Rangers (NPL), Penrith Valley Figure Skating Club, and local dance and cheer schools. 

Suzanne has a particular interest in working with artistic athletes including cheerleaders and dancers. She has a professional background in both cheer and dance and has previously worked as both a cheer coach and dance teacher. Suzanne’s previous experiences are an invaluable resource to her as a physiotherapist, as she has a thorough understanding of the level of physical fitness and skill acquisition that these athletes must have in order to be successful on stage and in competition.

Suzanne’s other areas of clinical interest reside in lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, spinal pathologies and women’s health.

Nathanial graduated as a physiotherapist in 2012 which saw him work in private practice and hospital settings gaining experience in all areas of physiotherapy including hand therapy, splinting/casting, pre/post-operative care, Men’s Health and general musculoskeletal, occupational and sports physiotherapy. Since then he has gone on to complete further studies in physiotherapy enabling him to be the only dual titled Musculoskeletal, Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist in Penrith.

Nathanial has a strong background in sports physiotherapy achieving accreditation with NSWIS as a service provider and working with many elite sports teams.

Nathanial has a particular interest in working with elite athletes, complex cases and in particular assessment and management of knee, hip and shoulder pain.

Andrea graduated from the Australian Catholic University completing her Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science in 2018 and Master’s of Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2020. After graduating she attained accreditation with ESSA as an Exercise Physiologist.

During her studies she gained clinical experience in both hospital and private practice settings, in cardiac rehabilitation, neurological conditions, cancer and chronic musculoskeletal injuries.

Since working at Progressive, Andrea has a specialist interest in treating musculoskeletal injuries, helping people in the mid-late stage of rehab to get them to return to sport or work. As well as helping people manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes.