One of the best things about exercise is that it can do so many different things for our bodies. Not only does it improve our physical health and uplift our moods, but it can also reduce the probability of developing aging-related illnesses, making it a huge motivator for seniors to get moving.
That has certainly been the case for Ronell “Ronnie” Laitinen, who lives in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The 85-year-old has been working regularly with personal trainer Karina Wait at her local Life Time gym in Edina, Minnesota, and it’s a practice that’s paying off.
“We’ve worked together the last two years,” Laitinen said, adding that over time, she has increased her strength (especially in her upper body), improved her balance and boosted her flexibility. She’s also managed to offset a condition that affects over 70% of women aged 80 and older.
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Fighting Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease that can cause one’s bones to become more brittle and to break more easily, and it impacts about 10 million people over the age of 50—and 80% of those people are women. Osteoporosis results from the structure and strength of the bones changing over time, and it can happen due to bone mass decreasing as well.
Laitinen was facing osteoporosis until she discovered the power of exercise. She took it up to help a variety of health conditions, but found that it prevented the progression of this bone-weakening disease.
“I’ve always enjoyed exercise and movement, but I became interested in fitness as a way of maintaining flexibility, strength and general health, and to help offset osteoporosis,” she shared. Exercise can reduce the rate of bone loss and lower the risk of stress fractures.
She also loves the effect it has on her mind. She says that exercise lifts her spirit every time she gets out and does it—plus, it gives her an opportunity to interact with others.
“The activity makes me feel stronger, more agile and positive,” she says.
Related: The Best Workout for Women Over 50 With Osteoporosis
Ronnie Laitinen’s Workout Routine
Upper body
Life Time Fitness, Edina, Minnesota
Laitinen strives to get in some exercise every day in some way, but she completes strength workouts typically every other day at her gym, including a session once a week with her personal trainer. Her personal training workout has a special focus on physical therapy and strength-building moves customized for her.
To work her upper body, Laitinen often does lateral pulldowns (on a machine where you pull a bar toward your chest to strengthen your back muscles), bicep curls with dumbbells, moves that strengthen her triceps and lifts with kettlebells.
Related: The No. 1 Way to Prevent Osteoporosis
Lower body
Life Time Fitness, Edina, Minnesota
To keep her lower body in shape, Laitinen points to Romanian deadlifts with barbells, in which you hinge at the hips while holding a barbell and slowly lower and raise it from mid-shin level. She also does squats, lunges and glute bridges for improving her lower body strength.
Flexibility and cardio
Life Time Fitness, Edina, Minnesota
Laitinen regularly does cardio that also improves flexibility, which includes completing one-mile jaunts on the treadmill or track (she generally aims to walk daily). She also likes to hop on the rowing machine for a workout.
Related: The No. 1 Most Commonly Missed Early Sign of Osteoporosis
Advice to Fellow Seniors
“Stay active, both in your house and outside, and try to maintain a regular schedule of workouts,” Laitinen advises. “Feel good about being active. Have fun doing it, even when you’re gritting your teeth and breathing heavily!”
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