Health & Wellness Coach in Cambridge, Ontario
Scoliosis causes the spine to curve sideways, as a result, pain, weakness, and changes in how a person walks, probably will happen. Scoliosis primarily affects the spine. Maybe just the thoracic spine, or just the lumbar spine, or both. Its structural curve can create imbalances and pressure across multiple connected body parts. You might blame …
Continue reading “6 Popular Scoliosis Exercises for Seniors”
Sharp pain, tingling, or numbness radiating down a leg can be alarming and disruptive. Two common culprits behind these symptoms are femoral neuropathy and sciatica. While both involve nerve compression in the lower body, they are entirely distinct conditions that affect different nerves, map to different areas of the leg, and require unique treatment approaches. …
Continue reading “Lower Body Nerve Pain: Femoral Neuropathy vs. Sciatica”
Research Fall prevention programmes are vital for seniors because falls are the leading cause of injury, hospitalization, and loss of independence in older adults. Knee replacement, rotator cuff injuries, and hip surgeries are all on the rise. Structured plans lower fall risks by up to 34% through targeted strength training, balance exercises, medication reviews, home …
QiGong is a safe martial arts that incorporates low impact mind body movement that can help manage osteoarthritis by reducing pain, improving joint mobility and stimulating synovial fluid production which keeps your hips lubricated. Benefits for Hip Osteoarthritis !. Joint Lubrication: Slow hip rotations act as a pump to circulate synovial fluid, nourishing the cartilage. …
Why do seniors get low back pain? Low back pain is one of the most common problems as we get older. The good news is that, in many cases, there are simple things you can do to reduce pain and keep your back moving well. How does your spine work? Think of your spine as …
Low Back Pain If you have one hip higher than the other, the muscles that stabilize your pelvis (hips) are weak. Low back pain is the result. The lower back and other surrounding muscles are forced to absorb the stress that the powerful hip joint was designed to handle for stabilization. Youe eange of motion …
What is the human body’s Muscle Canister? The “muscle canister”—or core canister—is a 360-degree cylinder of deep muscles that act as a pressurized system to stabilize your spine and regulate intra-abdominal pressure. It consists of four main components: The diaphragm, transverse abdominis, and pelvic floor work together to form your body’s natural “corset”. They create …
At 80 years, it is important to me to stay as healthy as possible. Living a seniors lifestyle puts me more at risk of injury. To stay as healthy as possible, as a senior, I need to combine aerobic exercise for heart health, strength training to prevent muscle and bone loss, and balance/flexibility moves to …
Sarcopenia One of the most important things seniors can do for their health is maintain and build muscle. Muscle loss with age, known as sarcopenia, can lead to weakness, poor balance, falls, loss of independence, and slower recovery from illness. The good news is that older adults can still build significant muscle and strength well …
Who Gets Gout? It commonly occurs in men 30 to 50 years of age. It has to do with lifestyle choices, genetics, and underlying health conditions, such as obesity, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. What is Gout? Gout is a painful form of arthritis. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis characterized by sudden, …
As I approach 80, I notice that I am losing muscle mass and bone density. My balance is off and I know that I need to do more walking for my heart. I do resistance training every day and I think I am doing workouts that address most of my major muscles. I research a …
I am a senior and I believe that “moving with intention” is an absolute must in order to deal with “old” age issues. The best back-pain exercises are gentle, controlled, and aimed at improving mobility, balance, flexibility, posture, and core/hip strength without putting strain on the spine. Exercises Standing Pelvic Tilts (with core activation and …
Inflammation isn’t inherently bad. Inflammation is part of your body’s immune response that kicks in when you’re injured, sick, or fighting off harmful pathogens. While acute inflammation, like the redness around a cut or the swelling from a sprained ankle, may be a good thing, chronic inflammation is an entirely different story. Unlike the temporary, healing …
Continue reading “Fight Inflammation and Arthritis with Food, Exercise and Sleep”
How Old Are You Today, my chronological age is 28,913 days. My biological age depends on the health of my 37 trillion cells or how I feel today. I read this poem in an Ann Landers gossip column in my local newspaper years ago, and I recite it every morning when I wake up . …
Continue reading “Old Age Falling and What We Can Do About it”
I like to finish my exercise workouts with some form of cooldown whether it be traditional stretching, yoga holds, tai chi, qi gong, or maybe even a soft Kung Fu. Doing relaxation focusing exercises is important for transitioning the body from a high stress “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system to a low stressed “rest …
Continue reading “Kung Fu Power with Hung Kuen’s 10 Animal Poses”
Older adults like my wife and I and most of our friends, should decompress their spine daily, to relieve pressure on nerves, muscles, and discs. These relaxing moves will counteract age-related wear like degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis if you incorporate them into your day. Ever heard of “sciatica”? You don’t want to experience that …
Continue reading “A Simple Guide To Spinal Decompression (3 Exercises)”
Introduction: Defying Family History My birthday is on December 18, and I was born in 1946. You guessed it—I’ll be 79 in just 11 days. I can’t believe it! When I look back at my family history, I realize how fortunate I am. My grandfather died at 74, and my father passed at 78. They …
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Just last week, my son Dave walked into Silverfox Fitness looking pale and …
Continue reading “The Foster Maneuver: A Personal Trainer’s Guide to Stopping Vertigo Fast”
Before I became a fitness instructor many years ago, I exercised regularly because my doctor told me I should. He took my blood pressure and because it was “high”, he gave me medication and encourage me to join our local YMCA. In order to become a qualified fitness instructor, I had to learn a great …
Introduction There is a history of dementia in my family and I don’t want to get it. Years ago, I discovered that dementia can be prevented by not only living a healthy lifestyle. but by doing complicated tasks frequently. Since I love health and wellness topics, I decided to pick a popular health topic, research …
Continue reading “Foundation Training – Strengthen Posterior Chain Muscles”
Walking History My wife and I walk for at least 30 minutes every day no matter what the weather. We live in a neighbourhood with lots of hills and even though it is a challenge, we know it makes us feel better. Humans have been walking upright for about 7 millions years. Walking upright may …
Continue reading “Importance of Walking and a Variety of Techniques”
A Personal Introduction I am almost 80 and I exercise with intention every day working on my strength, balance, and aerobics. I have struggled from time to time moving from a seated position to a standing position, and I felt vulnerable. There is no way I want to fall at my age. I know too …
Continue reading “Sit to Stand and Low Squat – Lower Body Strength Exercises for Seniors”
Her Hip Broke and then She Fell Hi folks! It’s Rob from Silverfoxfitness.ca. My friend is over 90 and has exercised most of her life. She was a runner and later became quite the dancer. In recent times, she attends my “Move Together Strength” class at our local YMCA. The other class participants are amazed …
Bone Health Matters to me because when … I was almost 75, my left knee started giving me problems. First, it was stiff for no apparent reason, and then one day it became painful. I ended up visiting the doctor, because I couldn’t do my daily walks very well, especially coming down my favourite hill. …
I am almost 80 and I continue to teach fitness classes at my local YMCA, as well as swim, ride my bike, walk hills, and dance daily. I have been teaching a “Move Together Strength” class at the local YMCA for some time now, which is popular. I have to do a lot of research …
Hi, Rob Fox here from Silverfox Fitness. As a certified fitness instructor with over 30 years of experience working with seniors and mature adults at the Chaplin Family YMCA in Cambridge, Ontario, I’ve witnessed countless individuals struggling with spinal stenosis. This common condition affects the majority of people over 50, causing pain, numbness, and reduced …
Continue reading “Spinal Stenosis: Complete Guide to Symptoms, Treatment & 7 Relief Exercises”
Walking vs. Biking Walking trails offer numerous physical, mental, and environmental benefits. Regular trail walking can improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, and aid in weight management. It also provides opportunities to reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance creativity. You might even develop a greater appreciation for nature and turn into an environmentalist. Biking trails offer many …
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What is it? Here’s an overview of Canada’s 24‑Hour Movement Guidelines, which integrate physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep across age groups: These “Guidelines” provide you with a holistic blueprint for a healthy day—balancing activity, sitting, and sleep—rather than focusing on one behavior in isolation Recommendations ! At least 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous aerobic activity (in …
Health care providers are encouraging you to … SNACK throughout the day with EXERCISE SNACKS! Exercise snacks are short bursts of physical activity (typically 1–5 minutes) performed several times throughout the day, rather than one long workout session. Despite being brief, these mini-exercises offer several health benefits. Here’s why they’re important: 💡 Why Exercise Snacks …
Mobility—the ability to move freely and efficiently—is a foundational component of physical health, performance, and quality of life. Here’s a breakdown of its importance and what you can do to improve or maintain it: 🔑 Why Mobility Is Important ✅ What You Can Do About It 1. Stretch Regularly 2. Incorporate Mobility Drills 3. Strength …
Continue reading “The Importance of Mobility and what to do about it!”
What is the Deadlift A deadlift is a strength training exercise that involves resistance (weight) from the ground to hip level, or lowering the weight downward. It’s a compound full body exercise that uses many major muscles, including the glutes, hamstrings, quadriceps and the core (low back). Deadlifts are a staple exercise that has been …
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A couch potato lifestyle is unhealthy because it increases the risk of chronic diseases and can negatively impact mental health too. There is evidence indicating that if you move more and with “intention”, you can modify your risk factors for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes! Learn more about your body. Set positive goals …
Winter in Canada brings beautiful landscapes, but it also comes with the inevitable task of snow shovelling. While it may seem straightforward, snow shovelling can lead to injuries if not done properly. From back strains to slips and falls, improper technique and overexertion can make this winter chore hazardous. Here are essential tips to help …
Continue reading “Snow Shovelling in Canada – Tips to Prevent Injury”