We live in a fast paced world where stress is a way of life. You wake up, work, eat, sleep, repeat. All the stress makes you go crazy. Sometimes you stay up all night working on a presentation or decide to indulge in some delicious, but unhealthy, junk food. When that happens, things simply fall out of place. And, so does your body. Bad food habits, lack of sleep, and no exercise are bound to add a few extra years on you.
As if your birthday wasn’t a good enough reminder about how old you are getting, stress makes you age. But that can be taken care of if you just step your game up a little and work on a few things. One of them being your workout regime! Exercise is very important when it comes to maintaining your health and looking your age. Age-related atrophy in muscles and bones lead to fragility, making life difficult as you get older. Research shows that strength training and regular workout sessions will help in preventing in such health issues later in life.
Suggested read: 14 best bum exercises that will tone up your butt in no time
Turning old is not just about wrinkles and fine lines. In addition to looking good, it’s important to feel good. It is no secret that exercise is the best way to stay young – both in terms of energy and your physical abilities.
Here are a few anti-aging exercise sets that you can count on!
1. Squat, squat & squat again!
Image source: Pinterest
There are some things that you just need in your life. This is one of them! Grab a set of dumbbells (of challenging weight) and stand with your feet hip-width apart. Hold the weight by your sides and bend your knees till you’re squatting. Make sure your thighs are parallel with the floor when you do this. Then move to a standing position and curl the dumbbells up towards your shoulder, with your elbows glued to your side. Repeat this at least 10 times every day for maintaining your lower body and for a great looking butt.
2. Step it up!
Image source: Pinterest
Another lower body workout, this! Get the dumbbells out and stand facing a sturdy box or a step, or even a bench would do for that matter. Place your left foot on the box while you hold the dumbbells to your side. Now, press through your big toe to get on the bench in a standing position. Your butt needs to stay lifted and your back straight as you get on to the box. Bend your left knee and slowly lower yourself back on to the ground. Do 10 reps on each side.
3. Push ups!
Image source: Pinterest
When it comes to anti-aging exercise sets, this is one of the best of the lot! It is one of those evergreen exercises that will never fail you. So, let’s do this! With your feet hip-width apart, get into a straight arm-plank position, placing your wrists directly below your shoulders. Bend your elbows to lower your body until you’re hovering slightly over the ground. Press back up into the arm-plank position and repeat the same about 10 times. If you can do more of it, then go ahead and progress to 20 reps.
4. The cardio mantra!
Image source: Pinterest
None of the anti-aging exercises will work, unless you get your cardio right! It’s one of the most useful workouts that will help you in the long run. You need to do at LEAST 30 minutes of cardio regularly if you want to maintain your young self. Hit the treadmill or go cycling or jogging when you find the time to. On the days you can’t do that, try skipping the rope. Remember, the faster you go, the more calories you kill. Go cardio!
5. Plank it!
Image source: Shutterstock
This is another must-do workout for your upper body strength. First, find a bench or a step and place your hands on it. Get into the straight-arm plank position with your hands placed directly below your shoulders. With your feet hip-width apart, make sure that your body is in a straight line from head-to-ankle. Now, draw your belly button out and in while keeping your legs and butt engaged. Stay in this position for up to one minute and repeat. Your body will thank you later.
Suggested read: 10 awesome hip exercises that will help you tone up quickly
6. Skip, hop & jump!
Image source: Pinterest
Yes, you read that right. It is just as simple as that! If you get bored at the gym or when you have no time for it, this is the way to go! Go old school and pick up that skipping rope and burn some calories! Skipping the rope has been found to be one of the best methods of killing them calories and improving your stamina. It is not too time-consuming and definitely very effective. Start with 200 skips and increase your count daily. The faster you skip, the more calories you lose.
7. Walk
This happens to be one of the most basic exercises that should be a part of everyone’s routine. Be it an early morning brisk walk, a walk to the grocery store and back, or just an after-dinner stroll; you just need it. Make sure you incorporate it as a habit and put it somewhere in your routine. If it is possible, take the stairs at least twice in a day. Many studies have cited that 7500 steps a day is a must for maintaining minimum health. It is healthy, keeps you fit, and keeps a check on your stamina. Simple yet effective!
8. Work the flexes
Image source: eatingbirdfood
Flexibility is the core of every exercise program that you ever indulge in. Apart from the stamina, weight loss, and body building, working out gives your body the flexibility that it needs. The body gets good at what you do repeatedly, so stretch it out! Incorporate a few stretches at least on two days a week. It could be regular calf stretches or you could try your body (hand; get it?) at yoga. That is bound to give you some flexibility.
9. Hit the pool!
Make your workout sessions more fun when you hit the pool, at least twice a week. It is a brilliant full body workout and works your stamina like nothing else. If you manage to get 60-90 minutes of pool time in a week, there’s nothing like it! Just make sure that you try out all the strokes and time yourself so that you can progress on your stamina.
10. Balance it
Image source: paleohacks
Not many people focus on balance when they start working out. Though strengthening the core and stamina are two very important workout goals, balance is also of utmost importance. Age is one of the main reasons that can lead to broken bones or other injuries. You can try out the single leg and balance reach to start off with. Or you could just try shifting your weight from one leg to another till you can balance on one leg. Sounds fun, doesn’t it?
Suggested read: 10 exercises for back pain that help find relief
These are just a part of it! There is so much more that you can do if you’re looking at anti-aging exercise sets. If none of these work out, you can probably sign up for dance classes or power yoga.
Consistency is key, and seeing the long-term effects of these exercises take practice and dedication. While you can switch up your routine, make sure you stick to a routine of exercise regularly because it has amazing long term benefits . So, use the pointers above and keep your body happy. No matter how old you are or what you like to do, these exercises are important. It’ll help you move better, protect yourself from injury, and feel younger at a time when you’ll need it the most.
So, slip into those sneakers, put on some good old workout music, and hit it! You know you need it; you definitely won’t regret this one. Happy working out!
Facebook
Disqus
Google + 
