Ah, the life of a retiree. How nice it must be to sleep in until it’s time to eat lunch and then head to the beach to relax for yet another stress-free day. Before you know it, it’s time for dinner and to possibly catch the sunset, before settling in and watching the game until you fall asleep. The next day, you wake up and repeat.
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Sounds great, right? Oh wait, you mean people don’t all share the same idea of what makes for a good retirement?
In the past couple days, I’ve talked about how some retired people enjoy volunteering, while others find part-time work. The thought of doing any activity other than something relaxing seems crazy to me. However, the truth seems to be retired people like to stay busy. With that, I give you another list: top physical activities for retirees. Check it out!
Golf
In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a round of golf (or two). If you’re looking to get a little workout in, ditch the cart and opt to walk. On a course that measures 6,700 yards, you’ll walk 3.8 miles if you’re a perfect golfer that manages to hit the ball dead straight every shot. Since we both know that isn’t even possible, consider the time you spend walking in the woods, down wrong fairways and searching on the edge of the water for wayward shots. All the extra walking can add up to an additional 1,800 yards, making your 18-hole excursion a five-mile plus exercise.
Walk
It doesn’t just have to be on the golf course. The next time you need to run up to the grocery store for an item or two, leave the car at home. This will help you save money on gas in the long run, while also providing you with some easy exercise. If you’re like me and would prefer to spend your retirement on the beach, don’t just sit around all day. Get up and go for a walk along the beach.
Bike
I don’t exercise often, but when I do, I don’t mind going for a bike ride. There’s just something about it that seems relaxing. You can go as fast or as slow as you want. If you’re in a hurry, you can get up to the store in a shorter period of time on a bike than you can walking.
Swim
While you’re hanging out at the beach, jump in the water and go for a swim. Using a variety of different techniques, swimming can work out nearly all the muscles in the body. The benefits of swimming include core strength, cardiovascular fitness and endurance. If you’re uncomfortable swimming at the beach, you could look into purchasing a pool for your home.
Recreational Leagues
Many local gyms offer competitive leagues for people of all ages and skill levels. Possibilities include sports such as basketball, racquetball and tennis, among many others. Depending on how serious the league, teams may have practice times throughout the week, which could provide you with even more physical activity. If you’re a former athlete looking to keep your competitive fire burning while also maintaining your physical fitness, a recreational league is a good place to start.
Yard Work
Save some money and do yard work yourself. I’ve never been one that’s into doing yard work (just ask my dad) but again, everyone’s different. Instead of hiring someone to mow the lawn, rake leaves, or shovel your driveway, do it yourself! This will keep money in your pocket AND allow you to get out and get some fresh air.
Another type of yard work that can keep you in shape is gardening. That’s right, I said gardening. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, give it a try and find out.
Yoga
I’ve never personally tried it, but from what I’ve been told, it’s no joke. According to the American Yoga Association, the term “Yoga” means to join or yoke together, bringing the body and mind together into one harmonious experience. To break it down, Yoga combines exercise, breathing and meditation, forming one heck of a workout (or so I hear). There are many different types of Yoga, with gyms offering different classes for people interested in the type of exercise.
If finding a part-time job or volunteering in your retirement years doesn’t sound appealing, try out some of the physical activities I outlined above. They’ll help keep you active and in shape!