“The best way to continue with exercise is to find some type of an exercise program you enjoy,” she says. “It is important not to look at the exercise as a chore, but instead something a person looks forward to.”

Maintaining strength, and flexibility, critical with age
Dr. Elliott Kroger, the staff physician at Sedgebrook’s Medical Center, says strengthening muscles is a major factor in helping older people retain their balance.

“People who are more physically adept have lesser risk of being injured than those who are frail,” Elliott says. “Being physically fit also gives people more energy and endurance.”

Lori says maintaining flexibility is extremely important for people age 60 and over. It also is the one area of fitness people of all ages oftentimes overlook.

“If you are flexible and maintain good balance, you can avoid injury,” Lori says.“If you don’t spend the time to increase or even maintain your balance and flexibility, then you increase your chances of winding up with a sprain, strain, or break.

“People oftentimes do not think about flexibility and balance. They do not think building that muscle will help them to maintain their balance and do normal things they like to do, everything from carrying groceries from the store to their house, to playing golf or tennis. If they do not have muscle strength, things like that become more difficult.”

Start slow if you need to
Guy says the staff at the Sedgebrook Fitness and Aquatics Centers are making sure the participants in the Sedgebrook triathlon, and all Fitness and Aquatics Center members, are exercising at a pace that is right for them so they will not be injured.

Lori says the caution taken by the Sedgebrook Fitness and Aquatics Center staff is very important.

“If you are not currently in good physical shape, it is best to start slow,” she says. “It is best to start with something like a water-exercise program where you are taking weight off and not causing stress on joints.”

Guy also says it’s important to have a professional give personal advice on the exercises that best suit you, based on experience and frequency of exercise. He keeps this in mind as he works with people participating in the triathlon.

“The exercises are not so strenuous that they are preventing members from continuing to do their current exercise program. The exercises are not asking anybody to do anything crazy. We are there to help, and to offer personal recommendations to help people achieve total physical health and wellness.”