May is Older Americans Month and fitness trainers say it's important to stretch and exercise your muscles and joints to keep from getting hurt as you age. Ramsay Wharton is live from 24 Hour Fitness with more.

Fitness Tips for Older Americans:

• Engage your core: This is the foundation of any strength program.
• Breathe properly: Keep your core engaged while breathing. Breathe in on contraction, out on extension. When you're doing power exercises, it's the opposite, exhale during exertion, inhale during release. Proper breathing maximizes you body's ability to improve muscle fibers and metabolic activity during exercise.
• Take your time: This maximizes your ability to focus and properly execute your exercise. Seniors exercise to improve daily functions. Don't rush your movements or strain your muscles.

Stretches are not just for exercise. They can improve your daily movement.

• Calf stretch: Lots of walking creates tight calves. Make sure you stretch them properly.
• Shoulder stretch: Remember your posture, protracted shoulders.

Exercises: You must have some resistance to strengthen muscles.

• Push-ups: Progress from the wall to a chair to the floor.
• Floor bridge: Targets glutes, hamstrings and lower back.
• Squat with chair: Walking is good cardio. Squats get resistance.

Related Links:

www.hmsa.org - HMSA Eat Healthy

www.24hourfitness.com - 24 Hour Fitness

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