This is a picture of 91 year old, Elaina La Lanne taken at Tristar products 25th anniversary Masquerade ball. The wife of the late Jack La Lanne is warm and energetic.  A true inspiration!

Ah, yes.  Functional Fitness.  It is such a catch phrase these days.  So what is it?  It is training to be able to perform tasks that we do in everyday life.  Therefore, you"ll see a lot of balance work, agility, strength building exercises for the core and flexibility.  Goals include back health and overall strength.   

I was watching a lecture from IDEA, that's the International Dance Exercise Association, on Anti-Aging. The lecturer used the example of doing lots of chest exercises and how this is not as important as other work.  His words were something like, "How often will you need to push something away from you as you get older?  Well, if a refrigerator fell on you or something, I guess".  Of course, the audience erupted in laughter.  

It does lead one to think about the long-term value of the exercises that we do, doesn't it?  A strong chest is nice but it is probably smarter to work the back and core, the range of motion of joints, and the legs for a greater benefit as we age.  I like working with balance a great deal as falls can be very dangerous.  Simple, and carefully done, twisting motions and bending and reaching through different planes is also advisable.

Most people get into sedentary habits with advancing age and, of course, this leads to lots of problems such as weight gain, curvature of the spine, weakness, and fatigue when doing minor tasks.  I train an 84 year old woman who I have come to adore over our multi-decade relationship.  Her attitude is to do her best for that day. With her muscles warmed up and worked she feels better even if she woke up feeling stiff.  She'll panic if either one of us has to travel as she knows that her movement time is very important to her overall well-being.  Her consistency has enabled her to continue walking well even though she has had years of knee pain.  Oh, and she insists on doing a 2 minute headstand when I see her!   :)