Expected Gains from LM&R

[Debinmi]

The article in Cathe's newsletter today got me thinking about what we can expect to gain by having this new series. Here's the list from the newsletter:

"Here’s how functional training benefits the active aging exerciser:

1. Improves Strength and Mobility
   Functional training strengthens muscles and joints, helping you maintain the strength needed for essential tasks like lifting, reaching, and bending.
2. Enhances Balance and Stability
   Balance naturally declines with age, but targeted exercises like single-leg stands or dynamic movements can improve stability and reduce the risk of falls.
3. Boosts Flexibility
   Functional exercises often incorporate stretches or full-range movements, improving flexibility and reducing stiffness.
4. Supports Independence
   Functional fitness directly improves the ability to perform daily tasks, allowing you to maintain an active, independent lifestyle longer.
5. Promotes Cardiovascular Health
   Many functional exercises, such as circuit training, also elevate heart rate, supporting heart health and endurance.
6. Improves Cognitive Function
   Exercises that combine physical effort with coordination or memory tasks (like following patterns or sequences) can sharpen your brain and improve mental agility.

I thought it might be fun & interesting to poll our top expectations.

ETA: feel free to add in a post if there's something else you're hoping gain too.

 

[DeannaTS]

The article in Cathe's newsletter today got me thinking about what we can expect to gain by having this new series. Here's the list from the newsletter:

"Here’s how functional training benefits the active aging exerciser:

1. Improves Strength and Mobility
   Functional training strengthens muscles and joints, helping you maintain the strength needed for essential tasks like lifting, reaching, and bending.
2. Enhances Balance and Stability
   Balance naturally declines with age, but targeted exercises like single-leg stands or dynamic movements can improve stability and reduce the risk of falls.
3. Boosts Flexibility
   Functional exercises often incorporate stretches or full-range movements, improving flexibility and reducing stiffness.
4. Supports Independence
   Functional fitness directly improves the ability to perform daily tasks, allowing you to maintain an active, independent lifestyle longer.
5. Promotes Cardiovascular Health
   Many functional exercises, such as circuit training, also elevate heart rate, supporting heart health and endurance.
6. Improves Cognitive Function
   Exercises that combine physical effort with coordination or memory tasks (like following patterns or sequences) can sharpen your brain and improve mental agility.

I thought it might be fun & interesting to poll our top expectations.

ETA: feel free to add in a post if there's something else you're hoping gain too.

I would've checked every box if I could, but I think balance is at the top of my list, followed by keeping my independence. My sis & I have been working on our diets & adding in more flexibility/mobility to our workouts. We both want to be able to avoid ending up in a wheelchair or having to rely on a cane or walker. It's funny how my goals have changed as I age. It's not so much about how I look or fit into my clothes anymore as it's about staying active, independent & injury free. I like the added cognitive function. The brain needs to do workouts too! I do feel I am getting plenty of cardiovascular & strength gains with all of Cathe's workouts, but the lower impact is a plus! This series seems to have it all!

 

[Lady Vol Fan]

If it had allowed to me to choose three, I would have added improve mobility, too!

But I'm primarily interested in using the set for balance and flexibility.

 

[Debinmi]

I initially thought it was odd to pair strength with mobility & thought about dividing them. But then I thought about when I was doing PT for my shoulder last winter that when I added weights to some of the exercises that my shoulder mobility improved by leaps & bounds. So I left it as is.

If there was a way to poll using a rank order, I would have done so as I think that would be most interesting.

 

[Lady Vol Fan]

Mobility definitely involves strength!

 

[Peaceful Rainbow]

I've always had good balance and flexibility, but they are two things that I really want to keep and improve on for the future. My parents (80's) with their walkers are sadly great incentive every time I see them.

 

[DeannaTS]

I've always had good balance and flexibility, but they are two things that I really want to keep and improve on for the future. My parents (80's) with their walkers are sadly great incentive every time I see them.

I used to care for the elderly a lot in my nursing days & I now see my aging parents losing so much independence. I am like you...I just want to fight against that happening.

 

[vivbc]

Use of the balance discs attracted me to these workouts.

 

[Lady Vol Fan]

The number of women who aren't much older than me who are using the grocery cart to support themselves are a painful reminder to me to keep fighting for what I have!

May I be the strongest, most mobile version of myself at every age!

 

[DeannaTS]

The number of women who aren't much older than me who are using the grocery cart to support themselves are a painful reminder to me to keep fighting for what I have!

May I be the strongest, most mobile version of myself at every age!

That's my poor mom...she always pushes the cart when we go shopping to give her support. It's heartbreaking. She used to be super active with swimming, tennis, golf, & walking. Then she started doing workout DVD's with me. A car accident ruined it all for her. It messed up her back pretty bad. Since then, as she's gotten weaker, she fell twice & broke her arm the first fall, then her hip the 2nd fall. She does still do what exercises she can while sitting in a chair. I am grateful I've still had her around in these years following that accident.