Imagine being 92 and feeling vibrantly alive with a robust workout routine. Edna Giordano embodies this life-changing philosophy with her inspiring fitness journey.
Edna, a grandmother of 21 and great-grandmother of four, didn’t start her gym journey until age 65. Now, over 25 years later, she drives herself to the gym four days a week. Her lively spirit fuels her commitment to a routine that prioritizes strength training, mobility, and daily activity.
Giordano emphasizes the essential role of strength training to combat age-related muscle loss and promote vitality. During her four hour-long gym sessions each week, she performs a series of exercises designed to strengthen various muscle groups. These include dynamic warm-ups and cooldown stretches.
Strength Training Focus
When considering Giordano's gym schedule, she employs a split routine that alternates between upper and lower body workouts. Edna utilizes light weights, focusing on exercises that challenge her muscles without compromising form. Her workouts include
- Squats
- Lunges
- Shoulder Presses
- Bicep Curls
- Lateral Raises
Her daughter, Dalyce Radtke, frequently shares videos of Edna’s impressive abilities on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. One particularly popular video captured Edna tackling an ab workout featuring leg raises and side planks, proving that age has little bearing on physical performance.
Research supports strength training as a crucial practice for individuals over 60. Studies show it mitigates muscle loss while enhancing balance and mobility, significantly lowering the risk of falls. Dr. Sims, a physiologist, recommends hypertrophy training—performing 10-12 reps—which aligns with Giordano’s approach.
Walking for Wellness
Walking plays another pivotal role in Edna’s workout routine. She not only integrates walking into her gym warm-up but also practices it in her daily life. Regular walks significantly boost cardiovascular health, mitigating risks associated with aging.
The benefits of walking are vast. Research shows that regular walkers often experience
- Lower risk of cardiovascular diseases
- Improved mental well-being
- Better sleep quality
- Enhanced longevity
Edna often harnesses this simple yet effective exercise. Radtke has shared videos of her mother briskly walking at a park, showcasing a dynamic warm-up that complements her strength training regimen.
Mobility and Flexibility Training
Mobility and flexibility are essential components of Giordano's holistic fitness philosophy. Edna understands the distinction: mobility is about the ability to move through a full range of motion, while flexibility pertains to how far one can stretch. To maintain her youthful vitality, she dedicates time to both aspects of her routine.
Giordano starts every workout session with dynamic mobility exercises. This includes leg swings and deep squats intended to prime her muscles, followed by an array of stretches targeting major muscle groups. Static stretches post-workout help reduce stiffness and promote recovery, ensuring she remains limber and active.
Radtke emphasizes her mother’s commitment to consistency, stating, “It didn’t happen overnight.” This consistent practice is essential for older adults striving for improved mobility. Edna’s regimen includes exercises like
- Supine hamstring stretches
- Figure four glute stretches
- Modified pigeon stretches
- Butterfly groin stretches
NEAT Activities for Daily Vitality
Beyond gym workouts, Edna makes daily physical activity a priority through NEAT—Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis. This type of activity entails movements throughout the day, contributing significantly to overall physical fitness.
Giordano’s everyday life consists of gardening and walking her dog. She maximizes opportunities to stay mobile, whether climbing stairs or engaging in household chores. Radtke noted, "You don’t have to do extreme workouts; just stick with the basics."
Embracing NEAT activities can account for up to 50% of total daily energy expenditure (TDEE)—critical for maintaining health as we age. Engaging in these movements frequently translates to a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, thus boosting overall wellness.
Nutritional Choices to Support an Active Lifestyle
Giordano’s commitment to health extends into her kitchen. She pursues a diet rich in wholesome foods, focusing on protein from lean meats and fish, fortified by vegetables and salads. Taking supplements—iron, multivitamins, and AG1—Edna ensures her nutritional needs are met to support her active lifestyle.
Food plays a vital role in her longevity journey. “Food is medicine,” she believes, and though she enjoys some guilty pleasures like ice cream and chocolate, she balances these indulgences with healthier options.
Getting Started in Your 60s
For readers now inspired by Edna’s vibrant lifestyle, getting started at 60 or beyond is achievable. Here’s how to initiate a fitness journey similar to Giordano’s
1. Start Small: Integrate light strength training routines with simple exercises targeting various muscle groups. Engage in NEAT activities like walking or gardening daily.
2. Embrace Consistency: Dedicate time for your workouts and make movement a priority in daily life. This approach is key to enhancing mobility and strength.
3. Incorporate Mobility Work: Adding stretches and flexibility exercises to your routine fosters alignment and prevents injury.
4. Nourish Your Body: Make conscious food choices to fuel your activities and consider supplementation if necessary.
5. Stay Positive: Embrace a mindset where age has no limits; instead of viewing physical challenges as obstacles, consider them as opportunities!
Edna Giordano’s remarkable journey is proof that age need not dictate physical ability. By committing to a blend of strength training, mobility work, and every day, meaningful activity, anyone can live a life full of vitality and energy. Feeling good at any age is truly attainable!
Being inspired by figures like Giordano might empower you to embrace the active lifestyle you’ve always desired.