Fitness Ideas for Seniors When The Temperatures Skyrocket

Here in Arizona, temperatures often shoot up into the triple digits. When it gets that hot, it’s not safe to exercise outdoors, especially for adults in their senior years. You already know you need to be careful out there – that’s why you’re here looking for safe summer exercise ideas. 

Guidelines for Senior Fitness in High Heat

Because seniors have a higher risk of heat stroke, they need to be careful about how they get their exercise during the summer. 

Remember: to stay safe in high heat, you need to keep hydrated by drinking water, even if you don’t necessarily feel thirsty. If you do go outdoors, stay in the shade or use a sun umbrella, and listen to your body for cues of distress. 

Here are three ideas for seniors for exercising safely when it’s hot outside:

1: Take Advantage of Indoor Classes

If you live in Phoenix, you can take free morning yoga classes at Encanto Park Clubhouse. Classes are held indoors during the more brutal summer months, every second Saturday from 9AM-10AM. 

Optum Community Centers also offer free fitness classes. Their fitness centers are equipped for strength training, balance, and cardio classes. (Air conditioning is provided, of course!) With locations in Surprise, Chandler, Mesa, and others, you’ll be likely to find a class near you.

Don’t want to leave home? There are plenty of options for virtually-guided workouts. Check out Burnalog with Silver Sneakers. They provide quality classes that are free for senior adults with a Medicare plan. You’ll get a support group to help you along the way, and classes can be personalized to your level of fitness or tailored to be inclusive for those with limited mobility.

2: Get Up Before the Sun

Exercising first thing in the morning can significantly improve your well-being. Getting up before sunrise can take some getting used to, and it may not “work out” for everyone. If you’re more of a night owl, skip to the next tip. But if you think you might enjoy the serenity of the desert as nature wakes up for the day, try going for a hike, jog, or bike ride (with lights and reflectors) before sunrise. 

Don’t overdo it! Take it slow when you need to, and even if you’re hiking early in the morning, bring water or an electrolyte drink along with you. The Arizona Department of Health recommends drinking two liters of water per hour when exercising outdoors. 

3: Try Water Walking

Water walking is basically what it sounds like—you walk around in a pool about waist-deep to get the benefits of light resistance exercise. It’s a great exercise for seniors, because it won’t hurt your joints and it’s safe to do in the heat. Bell Recreation Center in Sun City has a walking pool open from 5am to 9pm, Monday through Saturday. 

Top Two Activities for Seniors to Avoid in High Heat

1: Exploring the Mountains

A change in elevation can also mean a change in temperature, so it may seem like a good idea to go hiking in the mountains. The common advice in Arizona is to go early and be off the trails by 9am. 

However, outdoor temperatures can easily reach 100℉ by that time. Heat exhaustion can come on suddenly and may catch you by surprise. Be mindful of the conditions outdoors—never go hiking when the temperatures soar, and never go alone, the risk is too great. 

2: Walking the Dog

If you rely on your dog as your exercise buddy, be mindful of their needs as well. Even on a shaded street at a relatively cool time of day, outdoor walks can be too hot for your dog. Hot sidewalks can harm their paw pads and they need constant access to water to avoid heat stroke, just like you do. 

Staying Safe in Arizona Through Your Golden Years

We hope these ideas for senior fitness in high heat have helped encourage you. Staying active and mindful throughout your retirement helps protect your health so you can live a long, comfortable life. When it comes to protecting and preserving your estate after you pass, the legal experts at Phelps LaClair can help. 

As a second-generation estate planning firm, we have the experience it takes to design a custom plan for each of our clients. We know how to take advantage of all available tax-saving possibilities, and we will help you find the best ways to meet your estate planning goals. It’s never too early to plan wisely—call us today to make an appointment.

Image by  Mabel Amber, who will one day from Pixabay on 9.5.2024 | used under the creative commons license

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