The Best Lifestyle Fitness Activities for Your 50s, 60s, and Beyond

In your 50s, 60s, or even 70s, it’s not too late to prioritize your health and put yourself first.
How do you start a health and fitness journey when you’re an older adult? Rather than focusing on goals that feel unattainable or unsustainable, you might be better off focusing on lifestyle activities that will keep you active and exploring — and allow for fun.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source and the American Heart AssociationTrusted Source recommend that adults of every age get 150 minutes of exercise each week.
But don’t let the big number overwhelm you before you begin.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Weight and strength training
Don’t be intimidated to lift some weight. Weight, strength, or resistance training — however you want to refer to it — is vital for optimal health.

Strength training can especially benefit older adults, reducing their risk of injury and falling, making everyday tasks easier, and improving their mood, mobility, and brain function.
Swimming and water aerobics
Jumping in the pool for a round of aquatic sports is another way to kick-start your fitness routine. In addition to being cardiovascular exercise, swimming gives you a strength workout because of the water’s resistance.

Try aqua aerobics if you prefer to have more fun in the pool than just swimming laps. It combines the benefits of swimming and group fitness.

Zumba
Zumba is a great activity for those who love to dance. Combining dance moves with an aerobic workout, Zumba is a way to get your exercise in without feeling like you’re exercising.
“You don’t think about the fact that you’re exercising,” Solomon said. “Some people dread the word ‘exercise,’ and so that feeling definitely makes it a lot better.”

Yoga
Yoga can be a great activity to strengthen your body and clear your mind. You can do it alone or in a group setting, indoors or outdoors, with puppies, babies, or even goats.

Running, hiking, and biking
For those who love running, there’s no reason to stop as you age. While running is not low impact and can stress the knees and other joints, Solomon said you may want to switch to a treadmill to decrease the impact.

Horseback riding
Horseback riding works up a sweat, engages your joints, muscles, and core, and allows you to be outdoors and commune with an animal and nature. Again, you might even forget you’re exercising when you’re on the back of a horse, feeling the breeze as you ride.