Easy Does It! Getting Started - Fitness for Older Seniors
"Most fitness videos target either the avid exerciser or someone wanting to try something new. Few, if any, actually target older adults. But here's one that does, and it does it successfully.    St. Louis trainer Craig Marcacci developed the workout in "Easy Does It!" with the help of geriatrics experts. It's designed for those 75 and up; Marcacci says his students include people as old as 98.    The workout is a no-impact strength and flexibility training workout. There is no aerobic component here; instead, Marcacci makes it his goal to help seniors regain strength and maintain a full range of motion.    "Any impact is too much impact," says Marcacci, who leads a group of 20 or so students through the workout in the video. The idea is to eliminate the risk of injury by avoiding impact or quick movements, which may cause older adults to miss a step or strain muscles.    The video begins with a four-minute stretch. Marcacci follows that with about five minutes of standing exercises such as hamstring curls and calf raises.    For the next portion you sit in a chair (his students use basic folding chairs) and use dumbbells (1, 2 or 3 pounds) to work the upper body. After about 12 minutes in the chair, you are back up for some more standing exercises.    Marcacci finishes the workout, which lasts slightly more than 30 minutes, with more stretching.    Marcacci is a good instructor. He's obviously very knowledgeable, and he seems to care for his students. He's not condescending and yet he doesn't talk to his quiet group as if they are a bunch of jocks." --Amy Bertrand, St. Louis Post-Dispatch Health & Fitness Editor"...the program fits a need of a large number of seniors that were previously ignored, as well as family caregivers:    Almost daily, I receive inquiries from caregivers wondering what type of fitness program is available for their family members,  he says.  The caregiver worries that all programs are designed for seniors who are capable of engaging in exercise programs and activity beyond the abilities of their family members.    This program solves that dilemma. Now, a new segment of America s seniors can engage in activities that will bring about better health and a happier older age." --Daniel Hines, Publisher, TodaysSeniorsNetwork.com