--- title: Benefits of Exercise for Baby Boomers and Seniors description: The benefits of exercise for Baby Boomers and Seniors goes well beyond losing weight. Check out 32 other benefits you might be missing out on. image: https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/hs-fs/file-16261888-jpg/images/pilates.jpg --- [![personal-training](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/hs-fs/file-1627359819-jpg/PrimeofLifefitness/personal-training.jpg)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/) - [Client Log In](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/personal-training/online-personal-training/)| - [Contact](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/contact)| - [Home](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/) 720-295-0150 # Fitness Over 40 ## [Benefits of Exercise for Baby Boomers and Seniors](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/Fitness-over-40-blog/bid/98891/Benefits-of-Exercise-for-Baby-Boomers-and-Seniors) Posted by [LeeAnn Langdon](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/author/leeann-langdon) on Tue, Oct 04, 2011 @ 05:02 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Why do people exercise? Well, once it's a habit, people exercise because it feels good, but a![benefits of exercise](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/hs-fs/file-16261888-jpg/images/pilates.jpg?width=356&height=236&name=pilates.jpg) lot of people begin an exercise program because they want to lose weight. If you're overweight, losing even a few pounds is a good thing, but there are lots of other reasons to exercise. If you're a Baby Boomer or Senior (heck, even if you're a twentysomething), regular exercise offers many benefits that will improve the quality of your life. Let's face it, losing weight suggests deprivation and punishment. Many people are more successful at losing weight if they focus instead on gaining some of the other benefits of exercise, and letting the weight loss happen in its own time (and it will, if you keep it up and exercise a little common sense and portion control). To get you started, here are 32 other benefits of exercise that you may not realize. Maybe something here will motivate you to get started. 1. reduce stress 2. sleep better 3. lower blood pressure 4. manage blood sugar 5. improve your sense of self-efficacy 6. [improve flexibility](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/Fitness-over-40-blog/bid/97462/4-Tips-to-Improve-Your-Stretching-and-Flexibility-Workout) 7. improve balance 8. maintain independence 9. increase muscle mass 10. increase metabolism 11. reduce [risk of heart disease](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/Fitness-over-40-blog/bid/116512/Prevent-Heart-Disease-Know-Your-Risk-Factors) 12. reduce risk of dementia 13. improve social connections 14. increase endurance and stamina 15. [improve bone density](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/10-tips-for-better-bone-density/) 16. decrease body fat 17. decrease resting heart rate 18. increase responsiveness to insulin 19. increase lung capacity 20. reduce anxiety 21. improve body image 22. increase libido 23. alleviate depression 24. speed up reaction time 25. reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes 26. reduce risk of stroke 27. speed up gastrointestinal transit time 28. improve blood lipid profiles 29. enhance glucose utilization 30. improve low back pain 31. [improve joint function and decrease arthritis pain](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/conversion-pages/10-tips-for-exercising-with-arthritis/) 32. increase size and number of cell mitochondria What made you start your exercise program? Are you seeing any of these benefits of exercise in your own life? Share your story in the comments! ``` (photo credit: Lisa F. Young) ``` {{cta('bb9b35a1-9cf2-491f-aa45-ea639e171f90')}} Tags: [Baby Boomer](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/baby-boomer), [exercise](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/exercise), [weight loss](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/weight-loss), [body image](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/body-image), [osteoporosis](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/osteoporosis), [bone density](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/bone-density), [senior exercise](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/senior-exercise), [cardiovascular exercise](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/cardiovascular-exercise), [flexibility](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/flexibility), [Type 2 diabetes](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/type-2-diabetes) [![FREE QUIZ:Is a Personal TrainerRight for](https://d1n2i0nchws850.cloudfront.net/portals/105032/2d230d0f-0ce0-4d5a-99ba-67fcf8fe08d9/download-our-whitepaper.png)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/is-a-personal-trainer-right-for-you) ### Let's Connect! ### Subscribe to the Fitness Over 40 Blog ### Most Popular Posts ### Ask the Trainer ### Browse by Tag - [exercise (57)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/exercise) - [lifestyle habits (34)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/lifestyle-habits) - [Baby Boomer (30)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/baby-boomer) - [senior exercise (24)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/senior-exercise) - [motivation (21)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/motivation) - [functional fitness (18)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/functional-fitness) - [balance (17)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/balance) - [personal training (15)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/personal-training) - [flexibility (14)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/flexibility) - [cardiovascular exercise (13)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/cardiovascular-exercise) - [diet (13)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/diet) - [bone density (11)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/bone-density) - [weight loss (11)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/weight-loss) - [strength (10)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/strength) - [safety (9)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/safety) - [weight bearing exercise (8)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/weight-bearing-exercise) - [body image (7)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/body-image) - [osteoporosis (7)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/osteoporosis) - [sedentary lifestyle (6)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/sedentary-lifestyle) - [endurance (5)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/endurance) - [weight training (5)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/weight-training) - [Type 2 diabetes (4)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/type-2-diabetes) - [core exercises (4)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/core-exercises) - [diabetes (3)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/diabetes) - [stretches (3)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/stretches) - [workplace exercise (3)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/workplace-exercise) - [abdominal exercises (2)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/abdominal-exercises) - [arthritis (2)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/arthritis) - [memory loss (2)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/memory-loss) - [fruits (1)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/fruits) - [menopause (1)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/menopause) - [relaxation (1)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/relaxation) - [vegetables (1)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/vegetables) - [workshops (1)](https://www.primeoflifefitness.com/fitness-over-40-blog/topic/workshops) ### Comment Guidelines Thanks for visiting the Prime of Life Fitness blog, Fitness Over 40. I hope you'll come back often and share your thoughts in the comments. A blog is a public forum of sorts, but I value all my guests, and I want everyone to feel comfortable here, so there are just a few rules I ask you to follow in your comments. - We all have more fun and get more out of the conversation when we're on our best behavior. - Diverse opinions and constructive criticism are welcome, but trolls and jerks are not. - Please try to state your opinions in a way that's not offensive, rude or incendiary, and if you disagree with a post or another commenter, please do so civilly. - Your questions and comments about your own personal fitness journey are especially welcome. - All comments are curated to prevent spam, so there may be a delay of several hours before your comment appears. - Comments may be edited for grammar and spelling, and may be removed at any time. Thanks again for joining the conversation! © 2015 Prime of Life Fitness, LLC, All Rights Reserved Important disclaimer: None of the information contained in this site should be construed as medical advice. Prime of Life Fitness recommends that every individual consult with a physician for clearance and recommendations before entering into a fitness program. More