Top tips for supporting your aging parents to exercise

Vintage Fitness is an in home personal training company that specializes in training clients that are 50+.  We have a team of 10 trainers and so have a range of clients from competitive cyclists and marathon runners to frail older adults. 

Over the last 12 years of running Vintage Fitness we have worked as part of a support team for frail older adults and seen the challenges that supporting aging parents can bring.  Here are a few tips that I have seen over the years to think about if you are hoping to build your parents strength, stamina and flexibility with exercise.

1. Hear their voice:
   It is easy in the enthusiasm of supporting a parents to become more active to take over all of the decisions and arrangements.  Make sure there is a forum for their voice to be heard.
2. Let them choose their trainer:
   It is important that there is a personality fit between a client and their trainer.  Read the qualifications and specializations of a few different personal trainers and let them pick.
3. Make 1 goal emotional:
   At Vintage Fitness we develop health goals with our clients and always have one emotional goal that is important just to the client such as being able to reach down and paint their own toenails!
4. Celebrate small steps:
   Frail older clients often make amazing progress if you are paying attention—notice when it is easier to get up from a chair or into your car.
5. Meet your parents  trainer before starting exercise:
   Asking many people to start exercising right away can feel intimidating—start with a tea and a chat with your parents trainer first to put your parent at ease.

If you are interested in a free 30 minute consultation for your parent drop me a note erin@vintagefitness.ca

Good Luck

Erin 

Vintage Fitness

Click to Call    416-951-7978

Vintage Fitness is an in home personal training company in Toronto, Canada.  We specialize in energizing the lives of people over 50 with exercise.