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
Lively and Full of Energy! Singing Exercises for Seniors (11–20)
Tsugaru Strait Winter SceneIshikawa Sayuri
Sayuri Ishikawa’s classic “Tsugaru Strait—Winter Scene” was released on January 1, 1977.
It became a massive hit and won the Japan Record Award at the end of the same year.
This song is said to have marked her transformation from an idol into a full-fledged enka singer.
It’s often sung at karaoke sessions in senior care facilities, so it’s likely a familiar tune for many older adults.
Listening to it brings to mind the chilly scenes of winter, doesn’t it? Because it’s a slow-tempo piece, it should be easy for seniors to remember.
The exercises can be done either standing or sitting, so please adjust them to suit the physical condition of the seniors.
Dancing HeroOginome Yōko
Dancing Hero is a dance track by Yoko Oginome that was a hit during Japan’s bubble era.
In 2017, it drew attention thanks to the Osaka Prefectural Tomioka High School Dance Club and received a Japan Record Award that year.
The glamorous vibe of the bubble era left a strong impression, and it likely brought back memories for many older adults.
Although the song is up-tempo, it has been arranged so it can be exercised to while seated, making it easy for seniors to dance along.
It lets you move the full range of motion of your arms and legs, helping activate muscles that are hard to train in everyday life.
Blue Coral ReefMatsuda Seiko
Blue Lagoon was released on July 1, 1980, and is famous as Seiko Matsuda’s first hit song.
The vocals that begin with her clear, high voice are truly captivating.
Even today’s youth describe it as retro-cute, and many say it makes them envy the Showa era.
The lyrics portray a pure romance, so it’s also great for doing exercises while reminiscing about your youth.
The movements are gentle, so older adults can try them with ease.
If you do the exercises while channeling Seiko Matsuda, you might even feel like an idol yourself.
The Bride of SetoKoyanagi Rumiko
Seto no Hanayome (The Bride of Seto), a refreshing song that captures the feelings of a bride on her wedding day, was a hit in 1972.
It’s one of singer Rumiko Koyanagi’s signature works; she hails from Fukuoka Prefecture, and this was her fourth single.
Try doing some exercises to its relaxed tempo! Since the song is set by the sea, you can incorporate wave-like motions, clap along with the rhythm, and use your whole body.
Imagining the scenery of the Seto Inland Sea might help you put even more feeling into your movements.
Matsuken Samba IIMatsudaira Ken
Let’s get moving to Matsudaira Ken’s signature song, “Matsuken Samba II,” well known from period dramas.
While the song is strongly associated with light, nimble steps, when doing it as an exercise, it’s best to focus on the fun and the rhythm.
Even a simple motion like swinging your hands left and right will engage your arms when matched to the sprightly beat.
By combining choreography inspired by the lyrics with stretches for the neck, arms, and more, you get a well-balanced routine that works the whole body.
Northern SpringSen Masao
Masao Sen, an enka singer from Iwate Prefecture.
His song “Kitaguni no Haru” (Spring in the North Country) has beautifully nostalgic lyrics about a cold hometown, and its gentle melody also suits exercise routines well.
The song features many long sustained notes, which is great because you can really stretch your arms and legs during those parts.
Also, if the seniors doing this exercise are from cold regions like Tohoku or Hokkaido, the lyrics will likely resonate deeply with them.
By all means, consider choosing this as one of the songs tailored to the participants’ hometowns!
Full of Vitality! Singing Exercises for Seniors (21–30)
I can hear the Christmas song
With its gentle melody and calm tempo that warm the heart, this song is popular as a dance tune that’s easy for seniors to enjoy.
Amid its brightness, it also has a composed atmosphere, making it perfect for opening or closing a Christmas party.
The choreography is simple—waving hands side to side or placing hands together in front of the chest—so it can be enjoyed comfortably whether standing or sitting.
It’s also great for an arranged exercise that changes movements to match the lyrics.
For example, cup a hand to your ear during “I can hear it,” and spread both arms wide for “Let’s all sing,” turning it into expressive play that makes the atmosphere even more fun.
