Best Exercise for Older Adults

How a 68 year old recaptured his health one jump at a time

When you get to a certain age the gym seems to lose its luster. For many seniors, bundling up in winter conditions, rain, or wind to get in your daily exercise is an unrealistic request. Depending on where you live, even a walk around the block can prove to be a challenge. This was a struggle experienced by George Bianchi, a 68 year old retiree, living at 8100 feet in Colorado. Bianchi suffers from athletic asthma and in 2012 he had a stroke resulting in chronic pain, depression, weight gain, and a dependency on opioids. A few years ago Bianchi chose to take his health back. His enthusiasm, determination, and life-changing success inspired us to share his story. His journey to health and wellness began with a little research on the best exercises for older adults and a friendly phone call.

After the stroke, Bianchi told me he suffered from nerve damage on the left side of his body that was so painful, the only solution from doctors was a heavy prescription of pain pills. Bianchi had never been too supportive of healing in this way, but didn’t think he had any other option. During the first 4 years of his recovery the pills did little to ease his pain, his weight reached a high of 220 pounds, and his depression set in.

In an article last year by AARP, they state that almost one-third of all Medicare patients — nearly 12 million people — were prescribed opioid painkillers by their physicians in 2015. The way opioids are often prescribed, dependence can set in after just a few days, experts say. "Within one week you've made that person physiologically dependent on the drug, meaning they feel some discomfort or side effects when they stop using," says Andrew Kolodny, executive director of Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing.

After years of discomfort Bianchi went to one of the best clinics in the world, the Mayo Clinic, and their only response was to triple his dosage of pain medication. He was in disbelief and knew there had to be a better way to fight the pain and reclaim his health. He went home, got online and began his research. What is the best exercise for older adults and seniors? He knew if he lost at least 50 pounds and built up the strength he had lost during his “recovery” years, that would put his health and wellness back on track and hopefully ease some of his pain.

Livestong states in a number of their articles geared toward our baby-boomer generation, that to stay healthy, our seniors need to daily participate in stretching, aerobic, strength training, and balance exercises. There are a number of ways to do this, but rebounding on a mini trampoline seemed to be the answer to Bianchi’s needs.

“I say this all the time. I recaptured my health. It was taken from me, and I’ve taken it back with my trampoline exercises and eating right.” - George Bianchi, 68-yr-old stroke survivor

Within the first 6 months of doing senior-focused mini-trampoline workouts, similar to these balance exercises for seniors, Bianchi lost 50 pounds. His daily routine included two 30 minute sets of rebounding exercises, an afternoon walk, and the addition of daily juicing into his diet. He did this routine 6 days a week. He said that since starting these exercises, the chronic pain has become manageable without medication, he’s had significant weight loss, post-stroke lumps in his head have gone away, he has less overall body stiffness, and most importantly, he has been able to play golf again.

When asked how he chose which trampoline to go with, he said JumpSport simply had the best customer service and warranty on the market. They were responsive, they listened to his needs, hesitations, and questions. He started his journey on the entry level model 220 39” JumpSport Fitness trampoline and very recently upgraded to the larger 44” JumpSport 570 PRO that allows for a more responsive bounce and more movement on the mat. Bianchi still has the goal of losing about 15 more pounds and says he will continue to maintain his strength and endurance using his trampoline.

“I’m 68 and I lost 50 pounds and JumpSport has helped me do it. I still have some nerve pain, so if I can do it anyone can! I believe in this product. I’m living proof!” - George Bianchi words of wisdom on his JumpSport Fitness Trampoline

George Bianchi would also like to recognize it was not only willpower that drove his desire for change, but also his dedicated trust in the Lord which helped motivate him throughout his journey to health and wellness.

Shop for JumpSport Fitness Trampoline or contact our friendly customer service agents based here in the United States at 1-888-567-5867 to help you achieve your goals!