Aerobic exercises are designed to strengthen the heart and lungs, which means the exercises can be fairly strenuous. This does not mean seniors should not do them, of course, but aerobics for seniors should be done carefully and with plenty of rest in between. The first and most important tip for aerobics for seniors is to make sure the person doing the exercises knows and understands his or her body. It is important to take note of the warning signs that may be indicating over-exertion, and if pain develops at any time for any reason, all exercises should cease.
Aerobics for seniors should only be done after the participant has gotten medical clearance from a doctor. If the doctor gives such clearances with stipulations — such as instructing the senior to limit vigorous exercise to 15 minutes — these stipulations should be recognized and adhered to. If the doctor does not give clearance, the senior can find out what he or she needs to do to get healthy enough to participate in aerobics for seniors. Like any other age group participating in aerobics, it is important for the senior to warm up before a workout and cool down afterward. It is even more important for seniors to do so, and it is vital that the senior drink plenty of liquids throughout the course of the workout.
The pace and intensity of the workout does not have to be especially high, but aerobics for seniors should be done in such a way that the participant is working hard. The senior should be able to carry on a normal conversation while exercising; going too hard can be counterproductive and increase the risk of injury or health issues. The participant should wear the appropriate clothing for the activity, and he or she should make sure to become familiar with any exercise machines used during the workout.
Most importantly, aerobics for seniors should cease immediately if the participant experiences dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, cold sweats, extreme weakness, or any other abnormal pains or signs that something may be wrong. The senior should make sure to have a plan if something does go wrong; some seniors will wear a bracelet that has their vital information written on it so bystanders can help in an emergency. To counteract overexertion, it is best to limit intense exercise to short bursts, interspersed with several minutes of rest in between.
