Bored With Your Workouts? Try Adult Gymnastics
By Paul Rothbart
Exercise is vital to good health and there are many ways to get it. Weight training, running, walking, and swimming are among the most common. They are effective and can be satisfying. But you may be a little bored and looking for a different type of workout. You may want to consider adult gymnastics. That might sound insane. After all, gymnastics are incredible athletes who start training 10 minutes out of the womb. They possess superhero-like agility and strength and perform moves that could get an ordinary human killed. Just as you can enjoy playing baseball without being a major leaguer, you don't have to learn gymnastics at an Olympic level. You can train at a level suited to your age and physical fitness and reap the many benefits.
Better Flexibility
Flexibility is a sometimes overlooked aspect of good fitness. Muscles and tendons that are loose and flexible are far less likely to be pulled, strained, or torn. Even at an elementary level, gymnastics stresses flexibility. Training with a qualified instructor can improve your range of motion as well as flexibility, making you more mobile and less prone to injury.
Stronger Bones
Your skeleton supports your entire body, so strong bones are obviously important. They are less prone to fracture or break and provide better stability. Bone strength is especially important for older women who are prone to lose bone density and get osteoporosis. Gymnastics can help. In 2006, 217 women aged 62 or older participated in a study that found that the subjects who participated in gymnastics each week had better bone density and strength as well as greater agility than the sedentary group.
Better Strength
Many gymnastics moves rely on a strong core and upper body. Even training at a beginning level will tone up those muscles and make you stronger. You will also have better body control and coordination. This is a great combination for better health.
Better Self-Esteem
Exercise is thought of primarily for the body but it can also boost mental health. Gymnastics is one of the best activities for this. Even learning to perform the most basic maneuvers can give you a sense of accomplishment and make you feel you've done something special. Each move you learn presents a challenge and overcoming them continually builds confidence. This can get the feel-good hormones flowing in your brain, producing a more positive attitude and better mental health.
Everyone needs exercise, but what kind is best varies from person to person. If you're looking for something new and challenging, give adult gymnastics a try. You may not win a medal, but you can significantly boost your health.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Davie, Fla.