HEALTH
BY KIMBERLY WHITFIELD
Functional fitness With age comes a shift in the goal for your workouts
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s we grow older our bodies change, therefore, it’s important to find ways to adjust our workouts. For me, I’ve noticed the benefits of incorporating functional fitness into my workout routine. Functional fitness is about preparing you for life rather than something specific like a big race or lifting competition. Think anything from squatting down to pick something off the floor, to turning and reaching for a box of cereal on a high shelf. This type of exercise mimics your everyday actions while en-
“Functional fitness is about preparing you for life.” gaging multiple muscle groups. Here are a few helpful ways to switch things up a bit and place less stress on your joints,
Catch some waves Swimming is a great way to lose weight, improve muscle strength, and boost mental health. It’s gentle on the joints and is an activity for all ages! With the weather getting warmer, this is a perfect time to incorporate a few laps a week into your weekly workout regimen.
Get your steps in and clear your mind after a busy day. Take advantage of the outdoors and the warm weather. You can be creative by walking in your neighborhood, finding trails or parks to make your walks more adventurous. So what are you waiting for? Put on your walking shoes and get moving!
flexibility to maintain a range of motion in the joints. Without it, the muscles shorten and become tight, and when you call on the muscles for activity, they are weak and unable to extend all the way. Additional benefits of stretching include: heal and prevent back pain, improve posture, decrease tension headaches, and more! To get started, I would recommend looking for studios in your community that offer yoga, Pilates, or basic 20-30 minute stretch classes. You may want to consider online classes or checking out DVDs from your local library.
Start stretching
Love every ride
Stretching keeps the muscles flexible, strong, and healthy. We need that
Cycling is a low-impact exercise, that limits impact stress on weight-bearing
Get walking
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joints, like your hips, knees, and feet. As a bonus, the movement helps lubricate the joints, which reduces pain and stiffness. If you are looking to switch things up a bit, consider biking with friends outdoors or cycling on a stationary bike at home or a local fitness center. Always remember to “keep calm and bicycle on!”
Kimberly Whitfield is the owner of Kimberly Inspiring Beauty in Strength, a fitness instructor at Go Workout Fitness Center and Trinity A.M.E. Church; a bodybuilder, and a public speaker. Visit her on the web at kwinspires.com for a list of her classes.
