Aging
Exercise for Seniors YouTube
Exercise for the Elderly
How do you keep your body in peak physical condition as you age? And what does that even mean? I believe you are at your best, physically, when you feel good in your body and have both stability and mobility in your joints.
Exercise: Elderly Benefits
Pilates is one of the best exercise choices to continue as you age for many reasons. It can be as gentle or as challenging as you feel capable, and it can evolve as you progress. There are so many exercises and modifications, you will always be able to find a full-body routine no matter your current mobility level.
You may choose to work on the mat or on the machines. Both are great for different reasons. The Pilates machines can make exercises more difficult by adding tension, or they can add assistance to accommodate injuries and illnesses. If you don’t have access to machines, no problem! Pilates mat teaches you how to really know your own body and discover its strengths. It also teaches you how all movement originates in and stems from the core. There are also many ways to involve props for increased tension or support.
Speaking of injuries, healthy/mindful movement can prevent unnecessary injuries and teach you how to protect your body in your daily life, as well as other physical activities and pursuits. I teach a lot of clients how to do chair work-outs. This is a simple and effective way to get a work-out in that is also protective. You can use the chair for support and balance which will enable you to feel safe as you practice.
Some of the specific areas of support Pilates can offer to your body are balance, bone density, connective tissue health, and joint mobility and stability. As we age and lose fluid in our bodies these areas are most affected. We may begin to lose balance more often and our tissues and joints become more rigid. Pilates can help you work with the normal loss of fluid and regain mobility as the movements lubricate our joints and tissues. The full-bodied nature of many exercises will challenge your balance in a safe environment, helping to prevent falls. You can also use some of the exercises that involve planking and added weight to help maintain bone density.
One more thing that happens as we age is our spine can have degenerative conditions that make us less mobile. Joe Pilates used to say, “A man is only as young has his spine is mobile.” I work with my clients to safely regain mobility in a way that their body can support. This will keep you moving and in less pain.
When you choose Pilates as your work-out you will feel confident and happy with your routine. It never has to over exhaust you or challenge your body to reach beyond its limits. It can help you continue to progress physically, gain strength, and find new ways of moving your body that feel great!