Fitness Secrets of the Older Dragons

What we could all learn from fit, long-living, mature Asians:

The best workout clothes is whatever you have on right now

When I see the Asian grannies and grammpies hoofing down the street or tai chin’ in the park they are wearing comfy street clothes. These are clothes they might wear for the rest of the day, which makes being active more integrated and less of a hassle. This can be difficult if you work at a fancy pants job, but on weekends or casual days make an effort to dress up your workout clothes or loosen up your street clothes to promote outfit cross-training. As a wise, probably Asian person, once said, “Wearing clothes one can move around in promotes moving around.”

Walk, walk, walk and then walk some more.

It is a well known fact that the reason why the chicken (and the duck) crossed the road was to escape the older Asian lady with the shopping bag and intent look in her eye. I often see women who appear to be in their 70’s walking to and from the store with heavy bags of groceries and other assorted necessities or daughters in their 80’s helping 100 year-old mothers with their daily constitutionals. Older Asians walk for exercise and to get from point A to points B, C and D. Loading walking is a great way to increase and maintain bone density, which greatly reduces age related fracture risks. As we have all heard time and again walking in general is wonderful, low-impact, mood enhancing cardiovascular exercise. Just try and think of someone you know who walks everywhere and is depressed.

Move in every which way

Most Asian fitness systems are based on moving the body gently in every possible direction. Tai Chi and yoga are great examples of this philosophy. We live in three planes of reality and we should train to move in all of them. In contrast the average gym routine is only one or two dimensional and doesn’t prepare us for the real world which twists, jumps and turns unexpectedly.

Anytime, anyplace

Older Asian people will exercise anywhere at anytime. You can spot them in parking lots, yards, schools, parks and more doing their thing. They don’t usually require any special equipment (except for fans for swords) and so they don’t have to worry about getting to they gym or remembering their workout gear. I have often envied their apparent lack of self consciousness as they don’t appear to care who watches them or what anybody else thinks. Cheers to that!

The more the merrier

Most often older Asian people exercise in twosomes, threesomes or bigger groups. I often see them walking together, taking part in tai chi classes or sword fighting side by side. Their culture openly appreciates the power and energy of community to enhance any activity. Working out with others can add pizazz to any fitness routine.

The year of the fat bunny

Older Asian people are hardly ever overweight. Maybe it’s because of all of the daily activities or because they tend to eat a healthier, vegetable based diet or because they are so busy taking care of their chubby, video game playing grand children. Whatever the reasons keeping a healthy weight is easier on the joints and all other major body systems and is a key component of vigorous aging.

In our culture of fitness fads and hype we could all learn something from these unsung heroes of health and longevity. We salute you Asian elders!