You’ve retired from your job, your pension is coming in and now it is time to sit back with your pipe and slippers, right? Wrong. Pensioners are now more active than they ever have been and many people aged over 60 are finding unusual ways to keep fit.
The NHS recommends that people over 60 should do two types of exercise each week in order to remain fit and healthy. But exercise isn’t just about staying fit - it also has wonderful mental and social benefits, so you will look and feel good for it.
In order to stick to any kind of routine, it's important that you enjoy it, and as many people will tell you, that fun isn't always had at the gym. To make things a little bit more exciting, we've been out and about trying to find a few of the more unusual and fun forms of exercise that you can enjoy at pretty much any age.
Cold water swimming
Cold water swimming is all the rage and don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. You can do this at any age, especially if you're in your sixties and looking to stay healthy as you retire. Join a club or group and head out into the sea, rivers or lakes all winter long. Not only is it a fantastic calorie burner, but it is also proven to help people who suffer from anxiety or depression. For an added bonus, tea and cake to warm up is a major factor for all serious cold water swimmers.
If you want to improve your technique or you are new to open water swimming, you can attend some specialist classes, such as those run by Pool To Pier in Brighton. Want to find out more about cold water swimming visit the global Outdoor Swimming Society which runs events across the world.
Lotte Berk classes
If you were always a keen dancer in your youth and yearning for that slim yet strong figure, find a Lotte Berk class that combines dance, yoga and Pilates as a way to keep strong, flexible and fit. Want to find out a bit more before you take the plunge, learn more about the Lotte Berk method here.
Stand-up paddle boarding
If you love being out on the water, or enjoy surfing or other board sports, why not give stand-up paddle boarding a try? It can be as extreme or gentle as you like. Head out and explore your local waterways and coastline while working your thighs and core. If you want some tuition and to start in a safe environment, check out places such as Action Watersports which offers courses for beginners.
Boxing
If you have some pent up energy, then why not take up boxing? You don’t have to fight in order to fit in at a boxing gym and learn some skills. You can work on the bags or with a trainer and build your strength, stamina and focus as you pound away your worries. Most gyms offer some form of 'boxercise', whether it's a full-on boxing workout or boxing movements to music. If you're on the look out for something more traditional or specialist, get online and search for your local boxing gym.
Circus skills
Have you always wanted to run away to the circus? Well now is your chance. Circus skills encompass a huge variety of different disciplines that will help with your core strength and flexibility. Adventurous types can try aerial skills – Chinese pole, silks, rope, aerial hoop and trapeze. All of these do wonders for your core and upper body strength. However, if you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the ground, hula hooping is a surprisingly energetic work out. You can also improve your reactions and learn to juggle.
There are many places across the country that hold regular fun courses for students of all ages.
All these exercises will not only help keep you fit, but they're also fantastic social sports where you will meet a variety of people who may soon become good friends.
It's not only the body that needs exercise, did you know your brain needs stimulation too? Read our guide on 5 ways you can exercise your brain for a few suggestions on how to keep your mind sharp into retirement and beyond!