Gardening Advice For Aging Bodies

Your best body at any age!

File this under Wow! Not only will this customized-for-you workout bring you a sleek physique, it can actually help you be forever young: When researchers studied the lifestyle habits and DNA of 2,400 twins, they found that regular exercisers had longer telomeres, tags at the ends of our chromosomes that shorten with age, than their couch potato counterparts did. In fact, as few as 30 minutes of activity daily resulted in telomeres that looked 10 years younger. Slimmer on the outside, younger on the inside…we'd say that's a happy result all over!

Sumo squat

Works: shoulders, butt, legs

Stand with feet slightly wider than hip-width apart. Hold one weight in both hands directly overhead. Squat low and swing weight between legs (as shown) and then forward, lifting it overhead, as you return to standing. Do 12 reps.
Dragonfly

Works: shoulders, chest, back, abs

Start on all fours, a weight in each hand. Extend left leg behind you in line with body; extend right arm out to side at shoulder level. Keeping left leg lifted, curl weight toward chest (as shown). Straighten arm for one rep. Do 12 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
Gorgeous get-up

Works: shoulders, back, butt, thighs, hamstrings

Kneel with a weight in each hand, arms overhead, palms in. Bring left leg forward, knee bent, thigh parallel to ground (as shown). Push off ball of foot to stand. Return to kneeling. Switch legs; repeat for one rep. Do 12 reps.

Sidestepper

Works: shoulders, back, butt, thighs

Stand with feet hip-width apart, toes out, a weight in each hand in front of thighs. Lunge to left side as you draw arms toward chest, elbows bent (as shown). Push off left foot and lower weights to return to start. Repeat on right for one rep. Do 12 reps.
Back attack

Works: back, butt, hamstrings

Lie facedown with legs pressed together; reach behind back, interlace fingers and draw shoulder blades together. Lift chest off ground as you kick heels toward butt with control (as shown) three times for one rep. Return to start. Do 10 reps.
Do-si-do

Works: biceps, abs, butt, thighs, hamstrings

Stand with feet hip-width apart, a weight in each hand. Balance on left leg, knees soft (as shown), then lunge forward with right leg as you curl weights toward chest. Push off right foot to return to one-leg balance. Do 12 reps. Switch sides; repeat.

T-rrific toner

Works: abs, hips, thighs

Stand with feet hip-width apart, a weight in each hand, arms extended at shoulder level. Lift right leg back and lower torso forward until body forms a T, arms straight toward ground, palms in (as shown). Return to start. Do 12 reps. Switch sides; repeat.
Bridge buffer

Works: shoulders, arms, chest, abs, hips, butt, hamstrings

Lie faceup with knees bent, feet flat, a weight in each hand, elbows bent. Lift hips as high as possible; raise left leg off group in line with hips as you extend weights in line with shoulders (as shown). Keeping hips raised, lower left foot and arms. Switch legs for one rep. Do 12 reps.
Turbo twist

Works: arms, back, abs, obliques

Sit with legs out in front, knees bent. Hold one weight in both hands at chest level; lean back at a 45-degree angle. Maintain position as you contract abs and twist torso to right (as shown), then left for one rep. Do 12 reps.

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