This 5 minute Stretch & Go! Warm Up for Seniors and Beginners will help you stay flexible and energetic as you start your day or prepare for exercise.
My mom Aiko and I are excited to share gentle stretches that will warm up your entire body from head to toe. Mom does stretches in a chair while I do them standing. There is no twisting or bending.
Warming up the body before exercise have many benefits including:
✅ Increasing Blood Flow: As we age, our blood vessels might not be as spry as they once were. A warm-up helps dilate those vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely to our muscles. This means our muscles get the oxygen and nutrients they need to work effectively and efficiently.
✅ Reducing Muscle Stiffness: Over the years, our muscles might get a tad stiffer, causing discomfort and a slower range of motion. Warming up gradually increases the temperature of our muscles, making them more pliable and less prone to strains.
✅ Improved Joint Lubrication: Our joints might need a bit of extra TLC as time goes on. A warm-up helps synovial fluid, which lubricates our joints, to flow better, reducing the risk of joint pain and injury.
✅ Enhanced Nerve Function: A gentle warm-up gets our nerves firing properly. This means better coordination and reaction times, which are crucial to preventing falls or accidents.
✅ Mental Preparation: Aging gracefully often means we need a bit more time to transition from one activity to another. A warm-up gives our minds a chance to switch into exercise mode, helping us mentally prepare for the upcoming physical effort.
Here are the gentle moves in this warm up:
Gentle Marching
Heel Touches
Step Outs
Head Tilts
Side Looks
Shoulder Rolls
Side Reaches
Open/Close Arms
Ankle Stretches
Knee Lifts
Hip Circles
Hand Stretches
Inhales/Exhales
🌐 Here are a few other Warm Ups to try:
Warm Up #1: https://youtu.be/9khVr_NtBxI
Warm Up #2: https://youtu.be/HB21F-PqVW4
Warm Up #3: https://youtu.be/sHAiv5RY7V4
Stay up-to-date on our latest workouts and news! Sign up for our email list in the footer below.