Five Ways to Spice Up Your Exercise Program

Five Ways to Spice Up Your Exercise Program

User Profile By Haley Burress   United States

Found In: ›Activities ›Articles ›Exercise

Group exercise and movement is a crucial staple of a well-rounded activity program. It offers the opportunity for residents to move intentionally, working on fine and large motor skills, as well as improving strength, flexibility, endurance, and range of motion. 

Group exercise and movement is a crucial staple of a well-rounded activity program. It offers the opportunity for residents to move intentionally, working on fine and large motor skills, as well as improving strength, flexibility, endurance, and range of motion. 

However, daily exercise can get a bit redundant if you are doing the same things each time you gather your group. Your activity staff can get bored or complacent, and your participants won’t get as many of the physical or cognitive benefits of exercise if it is always the same.

Keep your program spiced up with a few of our tips!


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Linda 22nd Sep 2022 Recreation Therapist
You have not included brain gym exercises
Talita 26th Sep 2022
Hi Linda, there are lots of fun brain gym activities that can be found on Golden Carers, here are a few ideas:

https://www.goldencarers.com/13-fun-brain-activities-for-seniors/4910/
https://www.goldencarers.com/4-neurobic-brain-exercises-for-baby-boomers/7175/
Cecilia 21st Sep 2022 Life Enrichment Coordinator
Hi everyone.
Most of my residents are in wheel chair so I use exercise CDs, one in particular called Light and Lively. It has good rhythm and there is a voice coaching the moves. I also go to YouTube and find exercises that is good for sitting and wheel chair, using different ones so that the residents do not get bored with the same exercise. Having music while exercising is good because it keeps the residents timed. Sometimes we play "Balloon Tennis". This game, the residents sits in a circle, we use two inflated balloons, foam noodles and the object is to keep the balloons in the air. So as the balloons get to them they hit it to someone else and they all keep it from falling to the ground. Of course I am there with them for safety and to keep the balloon within the circle. They really enjoy that game and in the process it helps with exercising the shoulders and arms and helps with hand and eye coordination.
I enjoy this site because it has help me as activities director try new things and I have been learning at lot here as well.
I wish everyone all the best and God's blessings.
Susan 21st Sep 2022 Activity Director
Hi Cecilia
Thank you for all the great information I’m sure will be helpful
Lorna 21st Sep 2022 Activities Coordinator
Great idea Cecelia to use foam noodles, I usually use fly swats ! I’m going to get the foam noodles. Thanks for that idea.
God’s blessing on you too.
Talita 26th Sep 2022
Thank you so very much for your feedback Cecilia. Balloon games are so much fun! Wishing you all the best!
Eileen 22nd Jun 2021 RN
What Kind of exercises do ya'll recommend for the nursing home setting?
Susan 22nd Jun 2021 Activity Director
I think the ideas and comments in this article are great ideas Eileen
It depends on your residents of course
See what they respond best to
Let me know if you have any specific questions
Tara 17th Jan 2020 RAO
Music is one of the tools I use however sometimes it is hard for me to find good exercise music. Any suggestions. I also ask one of the residents to run the exercise and I assist with anyone who needs assist.
Susan 18th Jan 2020 Activity Director
Hi Tara
Music is a pretty individualized thing because it depends on the group you are working with
I like YMCA
The hokey pokey
When the Saints go marching in
And the ideas suggested in this comment
https://www.goldencarers.com/comments/24461/
Susan 16th Jan 2020 Activity Director
Great idea Alison
I like props too
The residents seem more engaged when they use them
Alison 15th Jan 2020 Activities Co Ordinator
Props are a great way to add variety. I usually run an exercise session ahead of another physical activity. For example, if we will be using bean bags for our challenges, then we also use them for our exercises.
Haley 10th Jan 2020 Recreation Therapist And Writer
Haley has submitted a new article: Five Ways To Spice Up Your Exercise Program
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