Keep Your Body’s Muscle Canister Strong

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 …

Building Muscle Mass After 50: The Most Effective Exercises and Protein Strategies

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 …

Fight Inflammation and Arthritis with Food, Exercise and Sleep

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 …

Kung Fu Power with Hung Kuen’s 10 Animal Poses

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 …

A Simple Guide To Spinal Decompression (3 Exercises)

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 …

A 79-Year-Old Personal Trainer’s Guide Managing Knee Pain Through Strength Training

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 …

Foundation Training – Strengthen Posterior Chain Muscles

Put weight on your heels from a wide stance. Hinge at your hips, pulling your hips back and keeping your chest high, while your arms reach forward. Take a few deep breaths, feeling tension in your hamstrings and lower back muscles as you pull your hips back further. Stand all the way up.

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 …

Sit to Stand and Low Squat – Lower Body Strength Exercises for Seniors

The Sit to Stand exercise needs to be part of everyone's daily exercise programme.

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 …

Spinal Stenosis: Complete Guide to Symptoms, Treatment & 7 Relief Exercises

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 …

Strength Training 101: Full Range of Motion

Hi, Rob Fox here again from Silverfox Fitness. I’m almost 80, and I have been teaching fitness for almost 30 years. I started teaching “Step Aerobics”, “Zumba”, and eventually moved into resistance training which, at the moment, is called “Move Together Strength” at my local Chaplin Family YMCA in Cambridge, Ontario. After being certified as …

Psoas Muscles: Why are they important and how to keep them healthy

The psoas muscles (pronounced SO-as) are a pair of deep-seated core muscles that run from the lower spine (lumbar vertebrae) through the pelvis and attach to the femur (thigh bone). They are among the most important muscles in the body due to their role in posture, movement, and stability. 🔍 Importance of the Psoas Muscles …

The Importance of Stretching in Exercise

Stretching is a crucial yet often overlooked component of a well-rounded fitness routine. While many exercisers focus on strength training or cardiovascular workouts, stretching plays a vital role in maintaining flexibility, preventing injuries, and enhancing overall performance. However, as recent research indicates, stretching is not a one-size-fits-all solution—and improper or excessive stretching can sometimes do …

Causes and Solutions For Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Hi – Robert Fox from Silverfox Fitness here, and today I want to talk about a condition which can often linger and be very painful. Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common condition that can affect anyone, from athletes to office workers. This condition occurs when the rotator cuff tendons and the bursa (a fluid-filled sac …