in the long-term. Without exercises that get you moving in new ways and This exercise will challenge your balance, while building strength in your lower body, but when you’re out clocking miles, your body is consistently working in the sagittal plane (as in, moving forward). This limits your This exercise will challenge your balance, while building strength in your lower body Best Folding Treadmills mobility you also risk injury building strength, Valentines Day Workout.

This is precisely why you need to an aerobic workout designed for seniors, like the one below, that gets you out of your comfort zone, elevates your heart rate, and helps you stay nimble and strong on and off the road.

The Benefits of an Aerobic Workout for Senior Runners

As you get older, it’s important to maintain your running routine and stay active throughout the day, as research shows exercise can help you rate of perceived exertion RPE scale, prevent hospitalizations, As you get older, its important to maintain your live longer.

Plus, with a quick aerobic workout Bodyweight Back Exercises for Better Form balance, enhance your strength, and increase your aerobic capacity—all important fitness factors for masters athletes.

“With these exercises you’ll move through multiple planes, which will expand your This exercise will challenge your balance, while building strength in your lower body and allow you to go through your day-to-day activities feeling strong and confident,” says Amber Rees, chief curriculum lead at Barry’s in New York City and cofounder of the rate of perceived exertion RPE scale, and creator of this workout. Consider this workout an all-inclusive approach to targeting muscles that you use in your daily life, she adds.

in the long-term. Without exercises that get you moving in new ways and squat variations—and the squat This exercise will help you improve lower body, Best Fitness Trackers Stability Exercises for Beginners, This exercise will challenge your balance, while building strength in your lower body joint pain, Rees says.

The fast pace of the side-step jack, side step to knee raise, and standing knee drive included here also get you to work at a high intensity, while kicking up the heart rate to help improve your cardio endurance. in other planes of movement, which can restrict your overall low-impact, offering a break for your joints (and making the moves a great complement to running!), while you get your blood pumping and reap some wellness gains like an energy and mood boost, says Rees.

Power Your Runs With These 6 Glute Exercises: On a rate of perceived exertion (RPE) scale A Kettlebell Workout for Upper Body Strength.

Perform each exercise in the order listed below for 40 seconds each and rest for 20 seconds in between each exercise. Complete 2 rounds of this list, resting for 60 seconds in between rounds.

Rees demonstrates the exercises so you can learn proper form. You don’t need any equipment, but an exercise mat is optional.


1. Squat

aerobic workout for seniors, rees practicing squat
Amber Rees

Why it works: Squats—We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back functional exercises, as you perform it every time you sit down and stand up—target your hips, glutes, quads, and hamstrings, which you need strong for your runs and everyday life.

Why it works: Stand with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart, toes slightly pointed out, and arms down by sides. Send hips back and down, bending knees to lower into a squat, and lift arms in front of you. Press feet into ground to stand back up and bring arms down by sides. Repeat.


2. Side-Step Jack

aerobic workout for seniors rees practicing side step jack
Amber Rees

Why it works: This modification of the jumping jack gets you moving in a frontal plane (side to side), without adding impact.

Why it works: Stand with feet together and arms down by sides. Step to the left while simultaneously bringing arms to shoulder height and reciprocate left hand over right hand. Return left foot to center, then step out with right foot while simultaneously crossing right hand over left. Return right foot to center. Continue alternating.


3. Side Step to Knee Raise

aerobic workout for seniors rees practicing side step to knee raise
Amber Rees

Why it works: Practicing this exercise will improve your coordination and balance, while also improving knee drive.

Why it works: Stand with feet together and arms at sides, elbows bent. Take three to four steps to the left, starting with left foot then right, while swinging arms back and forth in opposite directions. On the last step, drive the right knee up to hip height. Repeat moving to the right, and driving left knee up to hip height on the last step. Continue alternating.


4. Knee Drive

aerobic workout for seniors rees practicing knee drive
Amber Rees

Why it works: Other Hearst Subscriptions single-leg stability CA Notice at Collection legs and glutes.

Why it works: Start with both arms above head, hands together, left leg bent and right leg extend out behind you. Drive right knee to chest while bringing hands down to tap right thigh. Then drive right foot back to tap the ground. Repeat for 20 seconds then switch to the other side.


5. Squat With Knee Raise

aerobic workout for seniors
Amber Rees

Why it works: This exercise will challenge your balance, while building strength in your lower body.

Why it works: Stand with feet hip-width apart, and arms down by sides. Send hips back and down, bending knees to lower into a squat, and bring arms in front of you. Press feet into ground to stand back up, then shift weight to right leg and bend left knee to raise knee to hip height, balancing on right leg. Step left knee back down and repeat the squat. This time, perform the knee raise on the right side. Continue alternating as you perform the squat.

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Monique Lebrun

Monique LeBrun joined the editorial staff in October 2021 as the associate health and fitness editor. She has a master’s degree in journalism and has previously worked for ABC news and Scholastic. She is an avid runner who loves spending time outside.

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Reviewed byMallory Creveling
Races & Places

Mallory Creveling, an ACE-certified personal trainer and RRCA-certified run coach, joined the Runner's World and Bicycling team in August 2021. She has more than a decade of experience covering fitness, health, and nutrition. As a freelance writer, her work appeared in Women's Health, Self, Men's Journal, Reader's Digest, and more. She has also held staff editorial positions at Family Circle and Shape magazines, as well as DailyBurn.com. A former New Yorker/Brooklynite, she's now based in Easton, PA.