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Move More, Even Indoors: Winter Fitness Ideas for Assisted and Independent Living

Getting more exercise is one of the top resolutions people make each New Year’s. According to the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention, just one session of moderate physical exercise can improve your health. In the long term, regular exercise can help reduce the risks of developing dementia, depression, heart disease, stroke, and eight types of cancer. Regular exercise has also been shown to help people live independently longer, build bone strength, and reduce falls by increasing balance and coordination. 

The cold, blustering winter of Rhode Island can make it difficult to get outside. So, here are some practical tips for staying active indoors when it’s too cold to be outside. 

Staying active in senior living 

Assisted and independent living are great spots for being active while staying indoors. 

• Look at the activity calendar. Activity Directors plan some great things for their residents, including group fitness activities and opportunities to move. At Charlesgate, our Activities team offers activities like chair yoga, beach ball volleyball, and other gentle movement options that change weekly. Join in every week to get moving more! 

• Take part in other outings. Even if you’re not a big adventurer, going on local outings can offer chances to explore somewhere new. Going to the grocery store, eating at a favorite restaurant, or seeing something new can help you move a little more.  

• Try an at-home workout. Online workouts you can do in your own space give you plenty of opportunities to move indoors. Look online for light stretching videos, yoga, tai chi, or other low-impact home workouts. Not ready to get online? Try a workout DVD! 

• Walk around the facility. Walking is recommended as a daily exercise for seniors. Grab some friends and take a stroll around the facility grounds. If it’s too cold to go outside, take a few short breaks in your day to walk around the common areas or wander the halls if you’re able. 

To make exercising more fun, move with a friend! Start a small exercise group and hold each other accountable. Meet weekly (or daily for a short walk). 

Opportunities for seniors to get active in Providence 

If you have access to transportation, try these indoor opportunities to get active in Providence.  

• Take a walk around an indoor mall. Indoor malls are great, warm places to take a walk. You can walk the halls, take the stairs, or wander through stores to get your step count while in a lively environment. Providence Place mall has multiple stories with many stores to explore. 

• Find a group fitness class. YMCA’s, community centers, and some gyms or public pools have group fitness classes specifically for people ages 55+. These classes are usually lower impact and sometimes have more accessible options. SilverSneakers is a program to make exercise more accessible for seniors that is free for some Medicare plan holders. You can attend in-person or get access to at-home workout videos. 

• Visit a museum. Consider taking a trip to the Museum of Natural History and Planetarium to wander through exhibits on dinosaurs, space, and the ocean. Galleries at the Providence Art Club are free and open to the public and offer a smaller space to walk around. The Rhode Island State House offers self or guided tours to learn about the building, the government workings, and see artifacts. 

Exercising in the winter doesn’t have to feel like a chore. With so many opportunities to move indoors—whether in your own community or by exploring the vibrant spaces Providence has to offer—you can stay active and enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle all year long, whether that’s your resolution or not. So, gear up, invite a friend, and get moving—you’ll thank yourself in the spring!