Hi
October 15, 2019
In this newsletter . . .
Who is your
personal trainer?
A short while ago, The Wall Street Journal ran a special section titled “Best New Ideas in Retirement.” As expected, there were articles about social security, Baby Boomers, financial independence, brain training, and other items of senior interest.What captured my attention was a lengthy piece called “Your Personal Trainer May Be As Important As Your Financial Adviser.” Good title. It began with a story about a man who has followed the same 26-minute exercise routine since the Eisenhower administration. The writer said the man feels a sprightly 70. He is in fact 97.
There were other fine examples. On woman, aged 86, regularly does workouts that include burpees, mountain climbers and planks. Hard core movements. A late bloomer, she began training when she was a mere 78.
So? Does every senior need a personal trainer? Not necessarily. It’s situational. Yes, a
beginning senior really does need an experienced guiding hand of some kind when starting out. And even some “old pros” do better with a trainer. Some simply require a regular nudge to keep themselves on the straight and narrow. But others don’t.
People are living longer. And the whole idea of course is stay as fit as possible for as long possible. Exercise movement is the key. What about diet? Most of the old folks in the WSJ article eat well. Plant based diets are favorable and highly processed foods are best avoided. Some partake in adult beverages, a cocktail or two. But none mentioned overdid it.
Family ties and friends and owning a pet were other important factors that lead to a happy and longer life
To the question about Personal trainers: Do you need one? If so, there are many
types. Not all work in health clubs.
Some subscribers who write me are beginners but most are experienced and working out on their own, at home, outdoors or in gyms. Some prefer group workout classes, which of course are led by an instructor/trainer. Generally, women dominate group workouts while men tend to pump iron, solo, or with a buddy or two. There are exceptions in all categories, of course. The “one size does not fit all” rule always applies.
It’s all good, as long as your routine or program is regular and includes some degree of cardio, resistance work and flexibility. And you must like what you’re doing.
Anything dreaded won’t last, neither with exercise programs or the latest diet craze. Those are the key ingredients for success. They might not always be easy — but they aren’t complicated.
Logan
P.S. A subscriber, John Kosciak, sent me a great old video interview with Doug Hepburn, thought to have been the world's strongest man back in the 1940s and '50s. John's cousin, Paul Pjarnason, of Vancouver, B.C. provided it. A lesson on life.
Senior Exercise Central
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Newsletter Policy
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter is a free publication sent twice monthly to subscribers. The purpose is to provide honest and realistic fitness information for people age 50 and above.
I have never been paid or received compensation of any kind to write a positive review or endorse a product. If I say that I personally use a product or service, it is because I find value in it and have paid for it with my own money.
Like newspapers, magazines and television, this newsletter and my web site contain advertising and marketing links. Naturally, I am compensated for these.
The newsletter and web site provide information to help users establish and maintain a fitness lifestyle. But fitness information is not the same as fitness advice, which is the application of exercise and dietary practices to an individual's specific circumstances. Therefore, always consult with your physician for assurance that fitness information, and
your interpretation of it, is appropriate for you.Your comments and questions are always appreciated. Simply click on the "Reply" bottom.
Sincerely,
Logan Franklin
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter
www.senior-exercise-central.com
