Exercises to Avoid for the Over-50 Crowd

There are several exercises that "don't do your body good," especially if you are in the age 50-plus category. Truth be told, these exercise movements don't serve younger bodies well either but youth are less apt to listen to my story anyway.

The exercises to avoid are as follows:

• Seated exercises with weights
• Toe touches
• Side bends
• Twisting motions
• Sit-ups
• Crunches
• Straight leg raises

All of these exercises place unhealthy pressures on the spine, dramatically increasing your risk for fractures and other back injury. Most of them are easy to avoid because they do not provide essential movements that help keep your body strong and independent.

Many people incorrectly believe they are exempt from my recommendations because they either have been working out for many years or exercise regularly. Not so I say. The number one injury at the health club is back related. There is  reason for that.

The back injury stat is directly related to the unreasonable demands that many exercises place on your back. You are much better off avoiding them and substituting something that is safer and more effective.

Females more than males must be careful to avoid these exercises because of bone health issues. Osteoporosis and low bone mass (osteopenia) are both conditions that can easily be worsened by the use of unhealthy exercise practices.
Unless you have been tested, you will never know you have a problem.

So exercise is good "YES" but it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your exercise program. Will you still be able to get a good workout without all of these unsafe movements? Absolutely!