People over 65 who stay full of energy usually swear by these 7 hobbies that keep them moving – VegOut

Getting older doesn’t have to mean slowing down.

In fact, I’ve met people in their seventies and eighties who are more active and full of life than some folks in their forties. The difference? They don’t sit still for long. They’ve built movement into their everyday routines through hobbies they genuinely enjoy.

Here are seven that come up again and again when you ask energetic people over 65 how they keep going.

1. Walking with intention

You might think walking is too simple to count, but that’s the beauty of it. It’s accessible, low-impact, and can be done almost anywhere.

The people I’ve seen turn walking into a hobby don’t just stroll aimlessly. They walk with intention—whether that’s exploring a new neighborhood, hiking a trail, or joining a walking group that makes it social.

One man I know in his late seventies wakes up every morning, grabs his headphones, and sets out for a three-mile loop around his town. He treats it almost like meditation, syncing his steps with music or podcasts. It’s movement, yes, but also a daily ritual that keeps him sharp.

As noted by the American Heart Association, regular walking improves cardiovascular health, boosts mood, and even sharpens memory. And when older adults treat it as something to look forward to, not just “exercise,” it becomes the backbone of their energy routine.

Even small variations—changing routes, adding inclines, or walking with friends—turn this simple act into something surprisingly powerful.

2. Dancing

I once stumbled into a salsa class while traveling in Mexico City. Half the class was over sixty, and they were outdancing the twenty-somethings.

That’s the thing about dancing—it works because it blends fun with movement. There’s rhythm, community, and a sense of play that makes people forget they’re exercising at all.

And it’s not just about cardio. Dancing challenges coordination and balance, keeping the brain sharp with every step and turn. Studies back this up: dance improves memory, coordination, and neuroplasticity—and is even linked to lower dementia risk.

I’ve also noticed that older adults who keep dancing tend to be more socially connected. Whether it’s ballroom, line dancing, or just grooving in the living room, it’s hard not to smile when you’re moving to music. And that joy is part of why it works so well.

3. Gardening

There’s something powerful about tending to plants. You bend, squat, lift, dig, and carry without even thinking about it.

My grandmother used to say her roses kept her young. Looking back, I think she was right. Gardening gave her a daily reason to move, stretch, and stay outside in the sunshine.

What fascinates me is how holistic gardening really is. Physically, it’s like a light workout spread across hours. Psychologically, it reduces stress and provides a sense of purpose. And spiritually—if you want to go there—it’s grounding in a literal sense.

A growing body of research backs this up. A 2023 meta-analysis found that horticultural therapy significantly reduces depressive symptoms in older adults, especially when activities are participatory and conducted in care-providing settings over 4 to 8 weeks.

It’s not about having a perfect lawn. Even container gardens on a balcony or indoor plants can bring similar benefits.

4. Swimming

If there’s a single activity that almost every energetic older person recommends, it’s swimming.

Why? Because water takes the pressure off joints while still giving you resistance. It’s exercise without the pain.

I’ve mentioned this before in another post, but I learned the value of swimming when I injured my knee a few years ago. It was the only thing that kept me moving pain-free. That same principle applies to people over 65—it allows them to stay active without worrying about wear and tear.

One retired teacher I know swears by his morning laps. “The pool is the only place I feel completely free,” he told me. “It’s like the weight of age disappears.”

Many community centers offer senior swim hours or aqua aerobics, making it a social outlet as well. And let’s not forget: swimming works almost every muscle in the body while building cardiovascular endurance. It’s hard to beat that combination.

5. Practicing yoga or tai chi

“Stillness in movement, and movement in stillness.” That’s how a tai chi teacher once described it to me when I was visiting Beijing years ago.

For older adults, practices like yoga and tai chi offer more than just flexibility. Tai chi, for instance, has been shown to significantly reduce fall risk by up to 58% compared to stretching—and improve balance, stability, and muscle reaction times.

Yoga, meanwhile, strengthens posture, flexibility, and mobility. A review of 33 randomized controlled studies found that yoga improves walking speed, leg strength, and other markers of frailty—hallmarks of sustained independence. 

I’ve seen seniors who’ve practiced yoga for decades hold poses with more grace and strength than younger people who only dabble in it. And they often say the mental benefits—reduced anxiety, clearer focus—are just as important as the physical ones.

These practices prove that energy isn’t always about speed or intensity. Sometimes it’s about sustainability and harmony.

6. Cycling

Cycling isn’t just for young commuters in Lycra shorts. I’ve seen retirees in California cruising on e-bikes or pedaling along coastal trails with ease.

What makes cycling powerful is that it gets the heart rate up while being relatively gentle on the joints. Traditional bikes build endurance, while e-bikes allow older riders to scale their effort depending on how they feel.

This combination of flexibility and freedom makes cycling an energy-boosting hobby that can be adapted as people age. And there’s something freeing about moving quickly under your own power—even if it’s with a little electric help.

One couple in their seventies I met while traveling through Portugal told me cycling is what keeps their relationship strong. “We’ve ridden thousands of miles together,” the wife said. “It keeps us talking, keeps us exploring.”

That social and exploratory element makes cycling more than just exercise. It’s adventure at any age.

7. Playing sports

Pickleball, tennis, golf, even ping-pong—the specific sport doesn’t matter as much as the spirit behind it.

Sports get people competing, laughing, and connecting. They provide structure (weekly games, friendly matches) that keep people accountable, and they engage muscles that don’t get used in daily life.

Pickleball in particular has exploded in popularity among retirees. It’s less demanding than tennis but still offers a fast-paced game that keeps reflexes sharp. And it’s accessible—many community centers have converted tennis courts to pickleball courts because demand is so high.

I’ve seen whole communities of retirees built around these games. They aren’t just exercising—they’re belonging to something bigger. And that sense of play might be the most underrated energy booster of them all.

As psychologist Stuart Brown has said, “Play is not just an activity; it’s a state of mind that helps us stay resilient.” That’s doubly true in later life.

The bottom line

Staying full of energy after 65 isn’t about grinding away on a treadmill or following strict fitness regimens.

It’s about choosing hobbies that feel joyful, that bring movement naturally into the day, and that connect body, mind, and community.

The people who stay active later in life don’t think of it as “working out.” They think of it as living.

So maybe the better question isn’t which hobby should I pick? but which one makes me feel most alive?