ThirdAge Staff
Aimed at those who want to strengthen both their minds and bodies, restorative fitness builds and balances the body while cross-training the nervous system. A restorative fitness regimen is often comprised of three types of workouts. They most often involve muscular conditioning, various fluid exercises such as Pilates or yoga, and daily rejuvenating practices such as meditation.
Especially helpful to boomers who need gentle exercise to accommodate chronic conditions such as arthritis, restorative fitness is geared toward mind-body conditioning as well as injury prevention. Unlike most other workout regimens, the restorative fitness approach allows people to self-assess mind and body needs and tailor each day's workout around these, providing constant variation in workouts.
There are personal trainers specializing in restorative fitness at various YMCAs, universities, health clubs and spas around the country. Nancy Minges, M.A., director of restorative fitness at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley, Calif., has devised a particularly versatile program. For muscular conditioning, Minges customizes cardiovascular exercises, strength training exercises and endurance-building workouts for each client.
