Customer Reviews

Fitness Over Fifty: An Exercise Guide From the National Institute on Aging

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I strongly feel the need to get moving and this book has the exercises geared for mature adults. After hearing scary stories about osteoporosis and heart problems, I recognize that much of our problems stem from inactivity and sedentary lifestyle. The choice is mine and this book can help me make the change.
The exercises show fit-looking seniors using home equipment (a chair or a towel) to work out. No expensive gym or fancy equipment, just get started right at home.
It includes activities to improve balance and flexibility (great for very frail elderly). They give warnings for special situations (if you've had hip replacement, pace maker, etc.) It includes a weekly plan for minimum and maximum use of the exercises and blank charts to track your efforts.
Chapter 1: What Can Exercise Do for Me?
Chapter 2: Is It Safe for Me to Exercise?
Chapter 3: How to Keep Going
Chapter 4: Sample Exercises
Chapter 5: How Am I Doing?
Chapter 6: What Should I Eat?
Appendix:
A. Target Heart Rate
B. Exercise Plan
C. Activity and Progress Charts
D. Resources

The National Institute on Aging is part of the National Institutes of Health and has the mission of improving the health of older people. Their latest manual, Fitness Over Fifty: Strength, Flexibility, Vitality, Balance, presents twenty-five, easy-to-practice exercises for improve a mature man or woman's basic health, physical fitness, and emotional sense of well-being. Exercise safety tips; motivational assistance, tips on nutrition and healthy eating, as well as records for daily, weekly, and monthly exercise and nutrition records are clearly presented for older readers. Black-and-white photographs enhance the meticulous instructions for activities which are designed especially with the brittle bone and other concerns older men and women must be concerned about fill the pages of this useful, accessible, and very highly recommended health and exercise guide.

I couldn't give this book 5 stars because, although it looks like a great book in and of itself, it should be titled, "Fitness Over 65" since most of the quotes, stories and photos are of people well over the age of 50, and more like over 65. Keep in mind if you are 52, like me, that with very little current exercise you might be better physically fit and beyond the simple exercises in this book. It's VERY basic. But if you haven't done anything beyond sitting on your couch munching chips and watching the tube your whole life, this book would be a perfect way to break into beginning to get fit.

I admit, it's kinda scary looking at 70 year olds (even though they're in great shape!) demonstrating the exercises in a book for the over 50 crowd, but I also purchased a book called, "Strength Training Past 50" and although it's basic in it's own way (it demonstrates free weights, and if you're into going to a gym also machines), many of the photos in it are of people much closer to my own age, and that at least speaks to my comfort zone on working out and aging! It's also more of what I needed to start getting more fit.

The information and exercises displayed in the book are very practical and easy to follow. They are safe for beginners and the photographs help to motivate the individual. However, a 51 year old person may be put off by the book as most of the people in the pictures look 70 or more years old. There are young 50 years olds out here...the book would be more appealing if a few younger faces were included. Thanks

Ok, I'm not getting any younger. I admit it but I have been following the plan in this book for three weeks now and definitely see improvement in the way I look but mostly in the way I feel. The folks at the National Institute on Aging are to be congratulated.

This book is a good edition to your fitness library. A safe, effective and easy to follow program. Get this book instead of the numerous other books out there promising to help you stop aging and stay young forever.