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Fitness Matters

What Are the Benefits of Exercise for Older Adults?

There are many reasons why we tend to slow down and become more sedentary with age. It could be health problems, weight or pain issues, concerns about falling, or perhaps you think exercise simply isn’t for you? However, as you grow older, an active lifestyle becomes more important than ever to your health.

A recent Swedish study found that physical activity was the number one contributor to longevity, adding extra years to your life - even if you don’t start exercising until your senior years. But getting active is not just about adding years to your life, it’s about adding life to your years.

Getting moving can help boost your energy, maintain your independence, protect your heart, and manage symptoms of illness or pain as well as your weight. Regular exercise is also good for mind, mood, and memory. It’s never too late to find simple, enjoyable ways to become more active and reap the physical and mental health benefits of exercise. As you get older you may find you have more barriers to overcome when starting to build exercise into your routine. These can include discomfort and pain in your joints, limited mobility, or maybe a chronic condition such as arthritis or heart disease. I’d recommend speaking to a health care provider if you’re thinking of taking up exercise, although most doctors will encourage you to do so as many conditions benefit from regular exercise, including joint discomfort. Don’t let fear of injury hold you back as balance and strength training can help to reduce the risk of falling, or swimming can help build up your confidence and fitness. If you’re affected by loneliness or isolation, group fitness activities or classes are a great way to help with your health whilst meeting like-minded people.

I really do hope that this motivates even one person to realise that it’s not about how old you are. Age is just a number – you can still have goals you want to achieve and go for it; I have a few older generation clients and they inspire me!

By Alex Robinson

Level 4 Personal Trainer with additional qualifications in GP referrals – Pre- & post-natal exercise. Personal Trainer for over 15 years, supporting and helping people to meet their goals in fitness and lifestyle changes, from losing weight to running marathons. 01773 512410 • 07817 337861

Hatton Boxing For Fitness Classes

at Ripley School Of Boxing

ARR - Personal Training ARR-Training Alex Robinson PT

‘If you have been thinking about improving your fitness or want to lose weight, I can help’. • I have been a Personal Trainer for over 15 years, supporting and helping people to meet their goals in fitness and lifestyle changes, from losing weight to running marathons. • Over the years I have competed in various amateur sports to a high standard, including 24 hour endurance running to cross training events. • I am a Level 4 Personal Trainer with additional qualifications in

GP referrals - Pre & post natal exercise

Master Trainer in corrective exercise

Hatton Boxing for Fitness - Boxercise Master Trainer

CIMPSA & NRPT registered.

A fantastic class to help get you fit while having fun! Suitable for all fitness levels Tuesday 7.30pm Thursday 7.30pm Booking is essential as places are limited

Call me on 07817 337861 I can help you change for the better! alex.robinson.pt@gmail.com

Level 4 obesity and diabetes specialist

Strictly by appointment only. All measures possible will be taken to protect the safety of our patients with the guidelines provided.

Derbyshire Walking:

Baslow Edge and Wellington’s Monument

Distance – 3.5 miles / 5.7 km Ascent – 450 feet / 136 metres Time – 2 hours 10 minutes Grade – Easy Author – Lou Johnson Start – Ordnance Survey Grid Ref SK262747 Postcode S32 3YR (approx location only) what3words start: acquaint.perplexed.drifting

This short Peak District walk is an ideal introduction to the gritstone edges of the Peak District and can easily be completed in a couple of hours. There is a small car park (grid ref. SK261747) sited just back from Baslow Edge on the lane that climbs east out of Curbar towards the A621 Baslow to Sheffield main road. Alternatively you can park on the roadside in the immediate vicinity.

Even before you start you get a good idea of what the walk will be like. The views to the west are open with the River Derwent meandering through the valley below. The walk is much easier to complete than to describe so please bear with me if the description seems rather complex!

The Route

1. From the car park head west down the lane towards Curbar village for a few hundred metres. On the left is a footpath sign pointing south. In reality there are a number of parallel paths; follow one of these in the direction of Baslow village for nearly a kilometre. 2. Ignore the path veering right towards the Edge and go through the gate, following the path which crosses meadows to eventually pick up a track leading to Lady Wall Well.

3. There is a trough on your left and just after this turn left up a track, taking a left fork shortly afterwards. This leads upwards to reach the boundary of ‘Open Country’ to pass a quarry.

4. Quite quickly you are on the Edge with the moorland plateau stretching east towards Sheffield. Wellington’s Monument is a local landmark and it has been in view from just before the quarry. From here there are good views south towards Chatsworth and beyond.

5. After taking in the view turn around and head north using the path that follows the Edge, ignoring any path on your left that descends off the Edge. After a pleasant stroll on level ground you are soon back at your car.