6 of the best workouts for over-50s

As we age it can be a little confusing to know what to focus on when it comes to exercises because not only is weight management and loss still important, but things like balance, strength, injury, muscle mass and flexibility all come into play.

First and foremost, keeping active as often as you can is important and essential as you age to keep things in good order. And that doesn’t mean you have work really hard each time you exercise. In fact, a combination of different types of workouts and levels of intensity it the best way to go.

Here is the InstructorLive list of the best workouts for over-50s.

In any case, it’s always best to check in with your GP before starting any new exercise routines. Especially if you have any medical issues or past injuries.

1. Walking and running

As well as doing specific workout classes that focus on specific exercises. Adding some walking and or running in the mix is great way to get the blood pumping. Getting out into nature also does wonder for your mental wellbeing. Running even has more health benefits, such as decreasing the risk of heart disease to lowering stress levels.

2. Pilates

Pilates is one of the best workouts for over-50s because not only is it a great core workout but it also has benefits when it comes to helping back and joint pain and improving posture.

If you’re looking to get started with the best online Pilates workouts for beginners, InstructorLive’s Introduction to Pilates course is made up of extremely gentle and slow-paced classes making it ideal for people who are completely new to Pilates or have a low fitness level.

With low-impact movements, Pilates is an extremely effective way to get a full-body workout without risking injury. It also makes this programme suitable for people with conditions or past injuries.

The slow controlled movements of Pilates can sometimes leave people thinking it’s easy, make no mistake. Pilates is still a tough full-body workout that provides results.

3. Yoga

Yoga is another ideal exercise for over-50s because it’s excellent for flexibility and balance – something that tends to decline as we age.

With many health benefits, research that suggests yoga can also help to prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, and alleviate aches and pains.

Not to mention is another one that great for the mind and the perfect way to unwind at the end of the day.

The InstructorLive Yoga Basics programme is the ideal place to start if you have never tried yoga workouts before.

In this series of beginner-level yoga classes, instructor Lindsay breaks down all the basics, using English terminology and explains each movement slowly and clearly.

With low-impact movements, yoga is an extremely effective way to get a full-body workout without risking injury. It also makes this programme suitable for people with conditions or past injuries.

The slow controlled movements of yoga can sometimes leave people thinking it’s easy, make no mistake. Yoga is a tough full-body workout that gets results and has you feeling good from the inside out.

4. Resistance exercises

You’d be forgiven for thinking that workouts involving weights aren’t for over-50s but you’d be wrong.

Strength training is key to help with ageing. As we get older strength training is important because it helps to maintain muscle mass. Which naturally declines as we age.

If you’re looking for a workout with an added challenge, the InstructorLive Introduction to Weights programme is a great way to improve strength and fitness.

Many women are put off by adding weights to their workouts, believing that it will bulk their bodies. This is not the case.

With much lower testosterone levels than men, it’s extremely difficult for women to bulk in muscle size. Making resistance training with weights a great workout to have you feeling good from the inside out.

The benefits you will see include, improved strength, increased muscle tone and weight loss.

5. Dance-based exercise classes

If you easily get bored or are simply for looking for a workout that is fun and upbeat. Trying some dance-based workouts set to music is a great idea.

If you’re looking for the best online HIIT workouts with a twist, this Dance HIIT for Beginners programme is fun, motivating and gets results.

Created by Personal Trainer and Choreographer, Glenn Ball, the 30-day programme has been specially designed to shred excess body fat and tone your muscles.

Each workout combines dance-style movements, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance training to burn maximum calories during the workout and for up to 24 hours after, in order to transform your body and have you feeling amazing from the inside out.

6. Low-impact Interval Training

If you’re a beginner and looking for the best online workout for the over-50s or those with vulnerable joints or a low-range of motion, our Low-Impact Interval Training – Beginners programme is perfect for you.

Research shows that the best way to build tendon and ligament strength is through continued resistance training. Specifically designed with low-impact exercises to protect joints from dislocation, tears and strains. These workouts focus on building structural and muscular support around joints.

The Low-Impact Interval Training programme is the most effective type of exercise for increasing bone density, preventing the natural loss of bone density that occurs as we age, extending range of motion over time, stretching, strengthening and improving flexibility.

These workouts are design to be challenging while not being too long or exhaustive. Throughout the programme you are given options to make the exercises easier or more challenging depending on your unique needs.