{"id":165572,"date":"2025-09-28T08:36:08","date_gmt":"2025-09-28T08:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/165572\/"},"modified":"2025-09-28T08:36:08","modified_gmt":"2025-09-28T08:36:08","slug":"a-veteran-pt-says-these-are-the-three-exercises-he-swears-by-as-a-trainer-over-60","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/165572\/","title":{"rendered":"A veteran PT says these are the three exercises he swears by as a trainer over 60"},"content":{"rendered":"

For many people, fitness is more than just a hobby\u2014it\u2019s a lifestyle. Trainer Eric North\u2014who goes by the Happiness Warrior<\/a> online\u2014 is one of these people. At 61, he trains regularly and is in great physical condition.<\/p>\n

North is an advocate for any and all movement. \u201cRegular physical activity reduces stress, improves mood and boosts cognitive function, all of which contribute to a more positive outlook and enhanced decision-making abilities,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cBy embracing a lifestyle that values movement and nourishment, we not only extend our years but also enrich their quality, ensuring that we have the vitality and energy to pursue our passions, connect deeply with others, and contribute meaningfully to the world around us. In essence, fitness is not just about avoiding illness; it is about embracing a life lived to its fullest potential.\u201d<\/p>\n

You may like<\/p>\n

I asked North for his go-to exercises, and he shared his favorite three. He does these movements regularly and recommends them for the over-60s.<\/p>\n

North has given a range of reps and sets for each movement so you can adjust the starting point to suit your current strength level. Aim to gradually increase the number of sets and reps you do over time.<\/p>\n

1. Push-up<\/p>\n

Sets: 1-3 Reps: 5-7<\/p>\n

\u201cPush-ups are a highly effective, equipment-free exercise that offers numerous benefits in a short amount of time,\u201d says North. \u201cThey build upper-body strength, stabilize your core and can improve your overall health.\u201d<\/p>\n

Start your week with achievable workout ideas, health tips and wellbeing advice in your inbox.<\/p>\n

\u201cPush-ups can be modified by using a chair or wall for stability when just starting out, and over time, your strength will improve. Being able to do a traditional push-up is a great goal for anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

We have instructions for a range of modified push-ups<\/a> for you to refer to, as well as this plan to help you achieve your first push-up<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to do a push-up:<\/p>\n

Best Push-Ups For Beginners Or Over 60, You Can Do It! – YouTube
\n\"Best<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a>
\nGet on your hands and knees with your hands shoulder-width apart and knees hip-width apart.Step your feet back one at a time so your legs are extended and your body is in a straight line from head to heels. This is the high plank position.Bend your elbows to slowly lower your body until your chest touches the floor.Push through your hands to straighten your arms to return to the high plank position.2. Deep squat<\/p>\n

How to Do a Deep Squat According to Physical Therapists – YouTube
\n\"How<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a><\/p>\n

Sets: 1-3 Time: as long as you can<\/p>\n

\u201cDeep squats strengthen your entire lower body and core, improve mobility and flexibility in your hips, knees and ankles, and enhance posture and balance,\u201d says North. \u201cThis natural, functional movement builds knee strength to protect joints, helps relieve back pain, can stimulate digestion and promotes overall independence as we age. Deep squats are a longevity hack.\u201d<\/p>\n

We couldn\u2019t agree more. One Fit&Well writer did deep squats every day<\/a> for a month and was astounded by the results.<\/p>\n

How to do it: <\/p>\n

Stand with your feet hip-width apart.Push your hips back and bend your knees to slowly lower your body until your buttocks are as close to the floor as possible.Hold this position for as long as is comfortable.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t worry if you can\u2019t lower very far at first, many people can\u2019t deep squat<\/a> straight off the bat. You could hold onto a bannister or chair for support at first, as in the video below, or place something under your heels to overcome limited ankle mobility. But keep at it and I promise your mobility will improve and it will become easier.<\/p>\n

Learn to deep squat the safe way \u2705 #seniors #beginnersworkout – YouTube
\n\"Learn<\/p>\n

Watch On <\/a>
\n3. Shoulder roll (aka shoulder corkscrew)<\/p>\n

Sets: 1-3 Reps: 10-15 each way<\/p>\n

\u201cShoulder rolls can help improve posture, increase mobility, and relieve tension in the neck and upper back,\u201d says North. \u201cThey also serve as a low-impact warm-up to boost circulation in the shoulders. Shoulder rolls are essential for relieving tension and stress.\u201d<\/p>\n

How to do it:<\/p>\n

Stand or sit with your arms extended out to the sides at shoulder level.Rotate both arms clockwise from the shoulder joint\u2014your right palm should be facing up and your left palm facing backwards.Rotate both arms counter-clockwise from the shoulder joint.Continue, alternating the direction of rotation with each rep.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For many people, fitness is more than just a hobby\u2014it\u2019s a lifestyle. Trainer Eric North\u2014who goes by the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":165573,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[6647,102,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-165572","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-fitness","8":"tag-fitness","9":"tag-health","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom","12":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=165572"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/165572\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/165573"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=165572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=165572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=165572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}