Exercise: Exercises to Try
Frequently Asked Questions
3. What are some endurance exercises to try?
Before doing the exercises that follow, be sure to observe these safety tips.
- Do a little light activity, such as easy walking, before and after your endurance activities to warm up and cool down.
- Drink liquids when doing any activity that makes you sweat.
- Dress appropriately for the heat and cold. Dress in layers if you're outdoors so you can add or remove clothes as needed.
- When you're out walking, watch out for low-hanging branches and uneven sidewalks.
- Walk during the day or in well-lit areas at night, and be aware of your surroundings.
- To prevent injuries, use safety equipment such as helmets for biking.
- Endurance activities should not make you breathe so hard that you can't talk and should not cause dizziness or chest pain.
These are examples of moderate endurance activities for the average older adult. Older adults who have been inactive for a long time will need to work up to these activities gradually.
- walking briskly on a level surface
- swiming
- dancing
- gardening, mowing, raking
- cylcing on a stationary bike
- bicycling
- playing tennis
These are examples of activities that are vigorous. People who have been inactive for a long time or who have certain health risks should not start out with these activities.
- playing basketball
- jogging
- climbing stairs or hills
- shoveling snow
- brisk bicycling up hills
- digging holes
