Improve your balance with Pilates

Improve your balance with Pilates

Having good balance involves the integration of a variety of both sensory and motor systems, including the visual, vestibular, and somotosensory systems. If any of these systems are not working properly, you can lose your balance even if you’re simply standing up or walking. As you age, you often develop issues with balance due to a loss of muscle strength and joint flexibility as well as having issues with your vision and reaction time.

Improving control and stability is critical for older adults because it can help to improve much of their functional movement, including posture and balance. Falling when your older can have a very negative effect on your independence as well as increasing the risk for serious injury or even death.

Every year more than one in three people age 65 or older fall, and the risk increases with age. As your balance becomes more and more of an issue, you begin to curtail certain of your activities.  This, in turn, has a negative impact on the strength of your muscles which further impacts your balance. It becomes a vicious cycle, and simple day to day activities like grocery shopping or even getting out of a chair can become problematic.

Increased stability and balance

With age and inactivity, the unconscious processes that your brain goes through to help you maintain your balance might not integrate with one another as quickly as they did when you were younger. But, the good news is that it’s possible to improve your strength and balance and, therefore, reduce your risk of falling by staying active.

Research has shown that any exercises that work to improve your balance can decrease your risk for falls.  Pilates exercises focus on improving your strength, stability, posture, and flexibility. By doing Pilates, you can work to increase the strength in both your core and legs which has a positive effect on balance.

For older adults, Pilates teaches control and stability in a small range of motion, moving on to a larger range of motion as participants gain control and confidence. Pilates focuses on building your core, the deep abdominal muscles together with the muscles closest to your spine. Many of the exercises are done in a sitting or reclining position, and most are low-impact and partially weight-bearing. 

Never too late

You can work to maintain your body’s complex balancing act and remain independent by concentrating on types of exercises that strengthen your muscles as well as improve your stability and flexibility.

Research has shown the Pilates can help to improve balance in older adults while decreasing the number of falls. At Propel Pilates, we offer a precise, focused, and safe workout that will help you achieve your goals of improved balance, stamina, flexibility, and joint mobility.

Pilates is a flexible exercise system, so our trainers can modify exercises and their intensity to provide a workout that’s tailored to your needs. If you’re experiencing issues with your balance, come visit our San Diego Pilates studio, and talk to one of our instructors about our classes.