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Retirement Community and outdoor gym equipment go together better than you might think. It’s crucial to get the appropriate amount of exercise throughout life. Countless studies have confirmed the benefits of working out: you can build muscle, trim fat, improve stamina, and increase strength, among many other things. Whether you’re young or old, the right workout can go a long way toward improving your quality of life. As folks get older, outdoor gym equipment, in particular, offers many benefits.
Gym Equipment Offers a Gentle Workout
When you think of workout machines, you might think of bodybuilders and folks who otherwise spend a lot of time in the gym. Certainly, these folks often use gym equipment. While free weights can be great for certain workouts, it’s hard to beat the effectiveness of specialized equipment.
The right gym machines make it easy to work with light weights. This is great for stretching and also helps older folks work out without suffering too much strain. One of the easiest ways to get hurt while working out is to lift too much weight or otherwise overexert yourself.
Further, it’s easier to have accidents with free weights rather than with workout equipment. Many machines, and especially gym equipment designed for the elderly, have built-in safety features. This helps decrease the risk of mishaps.
As the body ages, mobility is often impacted. The right workout routines, including long walks at the beach or park, will help many folks stay mobile. Still, time marches on. Gym equipment is a great option for elderly folks as you don’t need to be especially mobile to use many pieces of equipment. At the same time, you can still get a great workout.
Further, exercise equipment allows you to target very specific muscles. If someone wants to work out their glutes without stressing their hamstring, for example, there are a variety of pieces of gym equipment and exercises that will allow you to do just that. It’s also possible to focus on specific muscles without equipment. However, doing so is difficult and folks could easily strain muscles.
Retirement Community & Sunlight is Great Light
Sunlight is important for seniors’ health for a variety of reasons. Folks working out in gyms likely won’t get much exposure to the sun. By placing gym equipment outside, communities can help encourage seniors to get enough sunlight.
So why is sunlight important? For one, sunlight is the primary source of vitamin D for most folks, which is essential for absorbing calcium and promoting bone health. As people age, they are at an increased risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. Exposure to sunlight can help seniors maintain healthy bones.
Sunlight has been shown to have a positive effect on mood and mental health. It can help seniors combat depression and anxiety, which are common among older adults. Older folks are also at increased risk of social isolation. Reduced anxiety and an improved mood could lead to better social relations.
Exposure to sunlight during the day helps regulate the body’s circadian rhythm. In turn, this can improve quality of sleep, which is especially important for seniors. Better sleep and sunlight can also help support the immune system by stimulating the production of white blood cells, which help fight off infections and diseases.
Putting Gym Equipment Outdoors at any Retirement Community
Most gym equipment is found in gyms or otherwise inside, even in the retirement community. That shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. The Great Outdoors offers a lot of benefits, but it can be tough on machines, including weight-lifting machines. Some equipment designers, like TriActive, have developed gym equipment that can weather the elements.
Salt, rain, wind, snow, and many things can quickly cause regular gym machinery to break down. Yet in the right conditions, gym equipment will last a long time, especially in a retirement community. This is good news because weightlifting machines are quite advanced and complex, and thus they can be a considerable investment. That said, well-built machines will last a long time.
