Age-bracket workouts
Here’s a new way of burning calories: An age-based workout, done in groups.
Fitness gurus have come up with a number of exercises that people from different age groups can practice together.
Hemal Shah, a fitness expert who is known for his expertise in martial arts, says, “Tai-chi, aqua exercises and power yoga are the most common age-related workouts. Aqua exercises are recommended for those above the age of 40 since there is less possibility of being injured while working out in water.”
Satyajit Chaurasia, fitness trainer for Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, Rani Mukherjee and Saif Ali Khan, who trains various groups of people according to their age, observes, “This trend has yielded positive effects. The best part of charting workout patterns based on age and getting these people to exercise in groups is that you maintain consistency and motivate each other.”
However, there’s a flip side to this. It can be a bit of a problem working out in groups when one or two have certain health issues. Says Yasmin Karachiwala, who was the motivating force behind Katrina Kaif’s sensuous form in Sheila Ki Jawani and who is also training other celebs like Sonakshi Sinha and Sonam Kapoor, “It is not advisable for people with health problems like knee pain, back ache or cervical pain to choose group workouts. If a bunch of healthy people who belong to one age group exercise together, it’s a motivating trend. However, a fitness expert must provide guidance as the exercises ought to be done according to the individual’s fitness level.” Since the bones tend to get weaker after one hits the 30s, problems like osteoporosis crop up and experts feel these factors must be taken into account. “More patterns of weights and stretches can be practised for those suffering from bone weakness. For people above 30, body weight exercises and stomach exercises are ideal,” explains Yasmin.
No matter how regular you are with workouts, exercises alone aren’t enough. Diet is the most important factor. Says Satyajit, “The ideal diet is a balanced one. However, early dinner is recommended no matter what the individual’s age. Avoid eating rice for dinner. Two pieces of tandoori chicken and one bowl of soup is the perfect diet meal.”
A point to keep in mind: Experts say that while stretching and doing leg raises, ensure your spine is flat on the floor or the exercise surface.
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