Energetic and Lively! Sing-and-Exercise Program for Seniors
Exercise is essential for good health, but as we become adults, many of us have fewer opportunities to be physically active, don’t we?
And I imagine there are also fewer chances to sing out loud.
For people like that, we recommend a wonderful routine that lets you do both at the same time!
In this article, we’ll introduce exercises for older adults that let you move your body while singing.
Please consider incorporating them into day services and other care facilities.
Of course, you can enjoy them while seated as well.
Move and sing together, and have a great time!
- For Seniors: Fun and Lively Exercise Recreation
- [For Seniors] Simple Rhythm Exercises: Recommended Songs and Routines
- [For Seniors] Have Fun and Relieve Stress! Introducing Dances Everyone Can Enjoy Together
- [For Seniors] Songs Everyone Can Sing Together! A Roundup of Recommended Crowd-Pleasers
- [For Seniors] Hand and finger play roundup: Finger exercises that lead to brain training
- For People in Their 90s: Dance Tracks and Exercise Songs That Make Moving Your Body Fun!
- [For Seniors] Fun Exercises You Can Do While Seated
- [Recommended for seniors] Rejuvenating Rock-Paper-Scissors Exercise
- [Sing for your health!] Popular songs among seniors. Also recommended for recreational activities.
- [Today's Recommendation] Gentle Health Exercises for Seniors
- [For Seniors] Popular Hand-Play Songs: Fun Brain-Training Ideas
- [Brain Training for Seniors] Recommended Hand-Play Recreation for Dementia Prevention
- Ranking of popular songs for senior citizens
Brimming with Energy! Singing Exercises for Seniors (1–10)
I look up as I walkSakamoto Kyu
Doesn’t the bouncy intro of “Ue o Muite Arukō” make you want to swing your arms and step out with energy? This signature song by Kyu Sakamoto—and a major hit of the Showa era—has appeared in music textbooks many times and is widely known across generations.
Since popular songs change even with small generational gaps, there are surprisingly few tunes that everyone in a facility will know.
But with this song, everyone can surely enjoy exercising while singing along.
Let’s move our bodies within comfortable limits, adding choreography that matches the meaning of the lyrics.
There’s always tomorrowSakamoto Kyu
Kyu Sakamoto, an enka singer with fans across a wide range of ages.
The exercise routine set to his song “Ashita ga Aru sa” is recommended because it’s low-impact—you can even do it seated by just moving your hands.
If you move your right hand diagonally upward and your left foot diagonally downward at the same time, you can also expect a brain-training effect! Adding a motion where you place your hands on your shoulders and rotate your shoulder blades can help relieve common stiffness in the back and shoulders.
And even if you mess up, the lyrics—“There’s always tomorrow”—lift your spirits, so it’s a win-win!
The Apple SongNamiki Michiko
“Ringo no Uta” (The Apple Song) was released in 1945, the year the war ended, and became the first postwar hit for singer Michiko Namiki.
It has been featured in numerous famous films and NHK’s morning drama series, and is also known for being sung by Hibari Misora before her debut in a local singing contest.
With its relaxed tempo, it’s perfect as background music for exercise in care facilities.
While seated in a chair or lightly marching your feet in a comfortable position, everyone can sing along to the lyrics and move their arms and legs in big, easy motions.
Lively and Full of Energy! Singing Exercises for Seniors (11–20)
Fortune Cookie in LoveAKB48
AKB48’s smash hit “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie,” released on August 21, 2013.
Many people may have related to the lyrics, which convey the feelings of being in love directly.
It’s said that the somewhat retro, easy-to-remember sound helped the song gain popularity across a wide range of generations.
A tip for making the dance easier for older adults to learn is to add expressions like “gripping a rice ball” or “tilling the field.” Moving your body while singing this song will leave you feeling energetic and refreshed.
I wish you lots of happinessnaniwa danshi
Since Naniwa Danshi’s second single “Sachiare” was the theme song for Mezamashi TV in 2022, even seniors have probably heard it.
The lively young voices that begin with “Wake up” are truly energizing.
The song carries a wish for your loved ones to be happy every day, and just singing and dancing to it is sure to put you in a happy mood! Grab some pom-poms and have fun dancing along.
As you get your body moving, you’ll likely find a smile naturally spreading across your face.
First Lovenaniwa danshi
Naniwa Danshi’s debut single, the currently trending idol group’s “The Debut Song” (Shoshin LOVE).
It was released on November 12, 2021.
This track comically portrays the sweet-and-sour feeling of first love and, along with their sparkling charm, became a huge hit! Even older adults may find their faint memories of first love coming back when they hear it.
The lyrics—about trying hard to make that first love blossom despite any difficulties—are relatable, too.
There are light dance steps as well, making it a fun, energizing exercise-dance that seniors can enjoy.
The Door to SummerMatsuda Seiko
When it comes to iconic summer songs released in 1981, Seiko Matsuda’s “Natsu no Tobira” (Summer’s Door) surely comes to mind.
It’s an up-tempo track that makes you want to start dancing.
It was even used in an Itoham commercial in 2019, so many people may have discovered it for the first time then.
The hallmark of this exercise routine is that it gives your whole body a solid workout.
It’s recommended because it helps train muscles you don’t usually use.
Clap your hands and move your arms up and down in big motions as you keep a lively tempo.
And of course, don’t forget to shout the chorus: “Fresh, fresh, fresh!”