Oklahoma Aging Initiative Demonstrates At Home Strength Training On The Porch

As we grow older, keeping track of your physical health and strength can be a challenging and sometimes difficult task, so finding simple yet effective exercises is crucial to aging healthfully.

The Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative (OHAI) is committed to ensuring that all Oklahoman's are keeping track of, as well as living their lives to the fullest as the aging process is in effect.

Nile Burge, a specialist at the Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative, sat down with the News 9 team on the Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch to share how these simple, minimal strength exercises can help benefit the body and the lives of aging Oklahoman's.

One of the easiest ways to maintain and build strength at home is by lifting smaller weights that can be used to strengthen the muscles in the arms and the shoulders. These can be as small as one-pound weights or small food or drink cans that have the same weight.

"It's really good for strengthening your muscles in your bones to help with fall prevention, and also help with decreasing the risk of osteoporosis as we age," Burge said.

Another at home strength exercise can also be lower leg stretches, which can help tighten up the leg and knee muscles.

"That can again help with fall prevention because we definitely want to make sure that our older adults are not falling, because of course; that leads to all types of issues down the line," Burge said.

For more information on more OHAI exercises, click here.