Know the Best Exercises for Women Over 40
As women age, the metabolic rate slows down and that indicates you are burning less calories unlike many years ago. There is actually no specific age for this, although it seems to be apparent when a woman reaches her 40s. Aging is also associated with weight gain. The metabolism makes up about 70% of the total amount of calories you burn on a daily basis. Therefore, if this process changes due to slowing down, then you are burning much less calories as compared to when you were younger. Over time, these calories accumulate, which will cause you to gain weight.
Equally important as maintaining a healthy diet in order to lose weight, exercise is another key element as you grow older. Physical fitness generally benefits everyone, but it significantly benefits women over 40. As your body matures, you start to lose muscle mass, which is one of the primary factors behind the slowing rate of metabolism. Basically, the more muscle mass in the body, the higher its basal metabolic rate.
Regular exercise for women over 40 will help strengthen the muscles, burn more calories and increase the metabolic process. It is best to adopt an exercise routine of 30 to 40 minutes a day, for about three to four times a week to help you toward weight loss and healthy body. Choose an exercise that is suitable for your abilities and body condition, then try to make it fun for your sake.
Elliptical Training
The elliptical machine is normally easier on the body, and that is considerably helpful for those who have knee, joint and lower back pains. Your pulse speeds up while doing the elliptical training, which is in fact higher than when you use the treadmill. You obtain all the heart pumping benefits of the machine, but without the pounding.
Core Workout
While you should have begun strengthening your core muscles when you were in your thirties, it is never too late to begin now. Your core muscles that run through your stomach to your back, are vital in treating or preventing back pain, as well as in maintaining good posture. A professional trainer will make sure you are performing the core exercises properly, otherwise you may find yourself injuring your back area, instead of keeping it strong.
Strength Training
It is one of the most effective ways to offset bone and muscle reduction. Body weight exercises such as planks, push-ups and squats are all excellent workout routines to increase endurance and strength, plus they help boost the heart rate.
Pilates
Pilates provides a full body exercise that improves flexibility and strength, which makes it an excellent option for women over 40 who wish to have a fit body as they age. It is a bit demanding, but it is not the sort of exercise that will make you sweaty and exhausted. Pilates is all about breathing and concentration. However, your muscles will certainly feel it during every exercise.
Swimming
Now is the time that you should be doing 20 to 30 minutes of regular cardio exercise for three to five days every week. Swimming is an efficient way to acquire that cardio exercise, without having to stress your joints. It is a complete body workout that burns a huge amount of calories. Swimming covers everything, which includes toning your arms and back, without having to put on weight. The physical activities in the pool are endless. Other than using all four strokes, you could pull, kick or make use of the wall for your push-ups.
Cardio Exercise
Besides its blood sugar controlling and heart health benefits, cardio workouts help in improving memory and brain function. Perform cardio exercises for about 60 minutes, three times a week to help improve the blood circulation to a portion of the brain that is linked to better cognition in late years.
Yoga
Yoga is focused entirely on flexibility, and it is an excellent way to de-stress, especially with the family and work lifestyle of busy women in their 40s. Yoga does a lot more than calorie burning and muscle toning. It is a total body and mind exercise which combines stretching and strengthening poses together with meditation or deep breathing.
Biking
Either on a standard bike outdoor, or on the fitness bike at the gym, biking is an effective way to obtain a cardio workout without stressing your ankles or knees. Your muscles receive a boost, too. Riding a bike tones up your hips, thighs and buttocks. If you are having a weight problem, something such as biking that is not pounding on your joints is definitely the right exercise.
Jogging
In case your joints can still take the pressure, it is a good idea to jog for your cardio exercise routine. The benefits of jogging includes the body and mind. Several studies have shown that jogging increased life expectancy. Moreover, it helps in decreasing the risk of osteoporosis.
As you reach the age of 40, exercise is an essential part of maintaining a healthy body. It does not only lessen the risk of heart disease and diabetes, it also provides endorphins and energy to enable you to lead a happier life.
