For those women who have led an active life, or those who haven’t, exercising into your later years will help you to stay fit, strong and full of energy.

Which type of exercise is best for me?

When it comes to fitness, the exercise you do is always better than the exercise you don’t complete.

It’s better to fit in movement where you can throughout the day — especially if you have busy schedule — rather than attempting to commit to an exercise regime that doesn’t realistically fit into your lifestyle.

Where do I begin?

Start with a fitness program that includes some strength training and some light cardio exercise. This aligns with the Australian Government Guidelines for physical activity, plus it gives you variety in the types of exercise you include, which in turn helps to keep up your motivation.

If you aren’t sure where you begin, seek the advice of a personal trainer with experience training older women, or an exercise physiologist, for a list of exercises that can help you to get started. If you have any injuries or health concerns, check with your GP for guidance in beginning your fitness journey, too.

Once you’ve got a health clearance to include exercise, begin small by forming an exercise habit and increase as you go.

For those women who may want to quietly begin their fitness journey at home, why not begin training with Shirley, a certified personal trainer keeping herself fit at 60?

Shirley Ann’s 5-Minute Fitness Guide provides a series of strength training exercises that you can do at home, three times each week, with no equipment. It’s easy to follow and a small investment in your future health.

As you gain confidence with the routine, you might look at other areas of your life where you can move a little more. Park a little further from the grocery store, do a 5-minute walking mediation in the morning, or get up to talk to a work colleague rather than staying seated. These little changes all add up to better health, long term!

Staying motivated with a fitness routine

First things first — staying fit is a journey that you don’t have to take on your own. You don’t have to do it alone — reach out on Instagram to connect with Shirley for daily motivation or ask join her training group of like-minded women. You’ll find the empathetic support and guidance to keep you on track, so you can fit fitness into your everyday life.

Secondly, it’s essential to find a routine that genuinely fits into your schedule, and one that you enjoy. This doesn’t need to mean setting aside 45 minutes each day for your workout or trekking to the gym, it means doing exercise that makes you feel great and is something you genuinely look forward to.

If you enjoy yoga, dancing, swimming or Pilates but simply can’t find the time during the week, aim to include these activities once a week on the weekend. Through the rest of the week fit in your five minute exercise routine to maintain momentum and strength in your body.

Benefits of exercise for women over 50 years

There are many benefits to keeping yourself healthy and strong at every age, but once you reach 50 a regular commitment to exercise can help to alleviate the symptoms of menopause and reduce the effects of ageing on your body.

Here are just a few reasons to set aside 5 minutes for fitness:

improved sleep
reduced risk of chronic disease, including heart conditions, type 2 diabetes and Alzeihmers
alleviation of menopause symptoms, including hot flushes and join pain
reduced risk of osteoporosis and better bone density as you age
better mental health and mental clarity

It’s never too late to being a journey to better health — so what are you waiting for?

Begin training with your 5-Minute Fitness Guide, prepared by certified personal trainer Shirley.

Which type of exercise is best for women over 50?

Which type of exercise is best for me?

Where do I begin?

Staying motivated with a fitness routine

Benefits of exercise for women over 50 years