Author(s): D. Cristine Caivano

Health

People are living longer than ever before, and the single most important aspect of quality living after age 50 entails maintaining optimal health. Strength training exercises are an important part of every comprehensive health equation, and Strength Training for Seniors focuses on the health needs of men and women over-fifty. Its opening chapters specify separate preparatory exercises for lower body and upper body strengthening, then proceed to instruct in the following foundational exercises - For lower body strength: the basic squat, squats with a stability ball, one-legged squats, the wide plii or goddess pose, the door squat, and the cross-over stretch For upper body strength: wall or counter push-ups, knee push-ups, straight-legged push-ups, and the supine chest stretch Chapters that follow focus on putting it all together, with exercises for the gluteals, the hamstrings, the quadriceps, the adductors, and the abductors, as well as the calves, shins, chest, upper back, biceps, triceps, lower back, and abdominals. The book's concluding describe recommended cooling-down routines, and then discuss special concerns that include regimens for osteoarthritis sufferers, as well as modification of exercise plans to suit the extremely unfit or for those of advanced old age. Detailed illustrations and diagrams accompany all exercise procedures.