Walking and rowing machines
Jack Lalanne once said walking was the king of exercises?. He is right in that walking improves not only our mood, but our endurance and strength as well.
Walking keeps the joints lubricated and nourished, strengthening the ligaments and tendons throughout our ankles, hips and knees. Walking works to strengthen our heart and lungs by increases in our respiratory and heart rates.
When walking, pick a pace that increases your breathing and heart rate. Swing your arms freely, straighten your spine and look straight ahead, not at the ground. Lift your heel up and then place it down, try not to step with a flat foot.
The rowing machine not only improves our strength and endurance in our legs and upper body, but does so in a way that simply walking cannot. When correctly performed, rowing targets the legs, back and shoulders quite nicely.
Make sure to pull back all the way through the movement by squeezing your shoulder blades together at the end of your pull, while straightening out your cervical spine.
This addresses one of the primary structural deficits of seniors, namely the forward flexed posture in which the shoulders and head come forward creating a rounded spine and decreased stature.
NC.FIT in the bay area has a 30-min cross fit per day with a coach. Mention Connie Dello Buono when joining.
Your have chosen two great ways to work out, especially for older adults! Good job.