Physical health is something many young people prioritize, but as we age, we lose touch with that desire to keep our physical health strong. However, maintaining physical health becomes even more important as you age because your body goes through many changes. So it’s key to keep that movement going. But, we recognize that working out once you’re over 50 looks very different from working out in your 20s and 30s—the motivation to get up and exercise can be a real challenge. First of all, you have lower energy levels than you did when you were younger, and your body doesn’t respond as quickly to exercise as it once did. That is not a reason to skip out on improving your health.
Hybrid training is a great approach to keeping your exercise routine strong, and it is becoming increasingly popular for women over 50. Let’s explore everything you need to know about this approach to physical health.
What is Hybrid Training?
Hybrid training is a combination of two or more different kinds of exercise you combine. This combo makes for a well-rounded workout that helps you target different muscle groups, which helps build overall strength.
Some popular workouts that are used in hybrid training include:
- Strength training
- Cardiovascular training
- Mobility
- Yoga
- Pilates
HIIT is a type of hybrid training that has exploded in popularity over the last decade. HIIT is short for high-intensity interval training, and it works like this: you alternate between a set amount of time doing an intense workout and a set amount of rest time or a less intense workout. The science behind this exercise style makes it a great way to burn calories while also boosting your heart health and building the strength your body needs as you age.
What are the Benefits of Hybrid Training?
Now that you understand what hybrid training is, it’s time to discuss why you want to start incorporating it into your life today.
Boosted Mood
One of the best benefits of any exercise is an increased mood. Studies show that exercise reduces your risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. It’s impossible not to feel better after a workout than you did going in.
Hybrid training uses various workouts to keep things interesting so you don’t get bored and maintain the motivation to keep exercising. Your brain will thank you.
Increased Strength
It’s no secret that working out increases your strength. That’s great for looking more muscular, but as you age, it’s also great for maintaining muscle mass and bone density. Both of these things combined can help reduce your risk of muscle loss that results from age as well as your risk of osteoporosis.
Hybrid training is a great way to build strength by switching between weightlifting, pilates, yoga, and more. These workouts help boost your muscle mass and your entire body.
Enhanced Mobility
You often don’t think about mobility until it’s too late. As we age, our mobility decreases, making it more difficult to do simple things like going to the grocery store. What used to be such a simple and easy task now poses many risks for injury.
A great way to combat that decline in mobility is with hybrid training. Yoga and pilates are great exercises that improve mobility while also increasing your flexibility, which is also important.
Reduced Risk of Chronic Health Issues
People who are at a higher risk of chronic health issues such as diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease, and blood pressure often find themselves in this position partly due to a lack of exercise. Adding hybrid training into your life reduces your risk of all the above chronic conditions.
Hybrid training does an excellent job of this because the variety of different exercises creates a well-rounded workout that keeps your entire body strong and healthy.
How to Start Hybrid Training Today
If you feel overwhelmed by where to start with your hybrid training, look for a personal trainer to help you get on track and stay on track. Some trainers specialize in hybrid training, which can put you on a great path to success.
If you’re more of a self-starter, you could create your own hybrid training program that mixes up the different types of workouts to give you a well-rounded routine.
Whether you hire a trainer or do it independently, it’s important to start slow and build up your strength. Don’t jump in head-first to HIIT workouts if you haven’t been exercising much. Listen to your body—it always knows what’s best.
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