Autumn Exercise Tips For Thrifty New York City Boomers & Seniors

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Also Included In: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 12 Sep 2008 - 16:00 PDT

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"Don't let low or moderate income discourage you from exercising. Older New Yorkers can get high quality exercise without an expensive gym membership," says Irene Pastore, founder of SeniorFit Personal Training , in New York City. Abundant exercise opportunities are free, or low-cost, when you live in the Big Apple.

With the cessation of summer humidity and high temperatures, autumn is a great time to get up, and start moving. Here's a list of five exercise tips to help you get started.

1. Transform exercise into an adventure, by combining your trek with a visit to a place of interest. It doesn't cost anything to walk, or jog across the Brooklyn Bridge. You can enjoy the view, the history, or take photographs of this famous landmark.

2. Plan your exercise adventure according to location, affordability, and travel time. The Staten Island Greenbelt Nature Center, is a magnificent urban park of 2,800 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. The admission is free. Anyone over 55 can join their fitness center for $10.00 a year.

3. Exercise with a partner. When you go with like-minded friends, an exercise outing might be more fun, more productive, and provide the motivation to help you stick with your plan.

4. Make exercise a regular habit. Consistent practice is more beneficial than haphazard bouts of physical activity. It takes time, effort, and patience to establish a routine. Eventually your efforts will pay off.

5. Start slowly, and don't overdo it. If you're not used to exercise, begin your cardio program with a short duration of 10 to 15 minutes. Allow several minutes for a gradual warm-up, and a gradual cool-down period at the end.

New York City is famous for accessibility, and convenience. For anyone on a fixed income, adventurous, low-cost exercise is right around-the-corner. "Inactivity is a health risk. The financial costs of illness is burdensome, and the emotional stress may be severe. A daily dose of exercise is an important way to help avoid many types of chronic health problems, including heart disease, falls, and depression," Pastore says.

Irene Pastore is a Specialist in Fitness for Older Adults. Since her career began in 1996, she has helped hundreds of New Yorkers gain a foothold on better health. Pastore is an advocate of healthy aging, and believes that a vigorous old age is possible through physical fitness, and a nutritious diet. Articles about health and fitness for older adults appear on her website.

SeniorFit Personal Training