Good morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with University of Illinois Extension.
Are you struggling to stay active? Does walking feel like a challenge sometime? April is Move More month, and this week, we’re talking about exercising with low mobility. As always, its important to listen to your body and prioritize safety and comfort. If you have underlying conditions or injuries, consult with a physical therapist before starting a new exercise program. Here are some tips on exercising if you have low mobility:
- Water exercise- check out local pools and fitness centers with pools to see if they offer water aerobics classes. This can help work your muscles while being nice on your joints!
- Yoga and Tai Chi- are low-impact activities you can do to help keep you moving and build better balance.
- Chair exercises- there are many activities you can do all while sitting in a chair such as chair yoga and chair Tai Chi. You can also dance, do leg raises, or work your upper body with dumbbells and resistance bands. Don’t have dumbbells? Canned food and water bottles will also work! Check out the blog link in the resources for more chair exercise tips.
This week try to move more than you normally would, even if it’s just 10 more minutes! Starting with shorter workouts can help you build confidence as you progress.
Thank you for listening! I hope you have a happy and healthy day ahead. The content for this episode was provided by, Rachel Mannen, nutrition and wellness educator for University of Illinois Extension.
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