Balance

Balance is something we take for granted when we are young. But as we get older our balance deteriorates due to losing muscle strength and joint flexibility, reduced vision and reaction time.  Reduction in balance can also be caused by Parkinson’s or neurological disorders

Fear of falling and higher risk of injuries stops people from trying new things or going about their normal everyday lifestyle.  This make them inactive. Therefore speeds up loss of muscle strength and flexibility in the joints.  As people are living longer, keeping people fit and able is important so that they can live at home maybe alone but still able to live a full life.

How can we improve our balance?

It is important to stay as active as you can as you get older and add specific exercises into your lifestyle.  Many that can be done at home on a daily bases.  Attending a Pilates class can also help improve your balance, muscle strength and joint flexibility.

Exercises to do at home:

• Holding on to a chair and doing squats – this is important to help you get in an out of chairs and strengthen your legs. Not sure how to do a squat then have a look at HERE
• Single leg squats, focuses on one leg at a time, which is important as in most cases we tend to be weaker on one side, maybe due to injury. But this focuses the leg to work and not be helped by the other one!
• Lunges, again with all of these you can hold on to something, but these are also great to strengthen the legs and also help with flexibility in joints.
• Pilates classes, in Pilates the main focus is mobility, flexibility, muscle strength and balance.  So in one class you are working on all the important areas to help you stay more active in your life.  There are many benefits to doing Pilates regularly which you can find out about in one of my previous blogs HERE

Worried about starting a new exercise?

It always best if you are concerned to see your GP and make sure that you are OK to exercise.  Then there are various options, joining a gym, a Pilates class or doing exercises at home.

So don’t give up just because you think you are slowing down and don’t think you can exercise anymore, there is so much you can do.

I might just have the perfect thing for you to try out at home.  I have a FREE giveaway of 4 Kitchen workout video’s that can be done whilst you wait for the kettle to boil!  They are only 3 minutes long and done a couple of time a day could make a real difference.  ( you make more than 1 cup of tea right?!)  The 4 video’s work the whole body – arms, legs, balance and stretch.  All the things you should be doing to keep you the best you can be and improving your balance and muscle strength.

So why not sign up for the Kitchen workouts HERE