The unfortunate thing about getting older is that your body doesn’t work like it did when you were 20. Lumps appear where there weren’t any beforehand. Aches and pains start popping up on their own, for no apparent reason.
The good news is that Pilates can help with keeping your body in shape and eliminating some of those aches and pains. And, the best thing is that it’s a low-impact exercise, so you don’t need to worry about causing more damage while you’re doing it!
What Are The Benefits Of Pilates For Seniors?
First up, Pilates Anytime says that if you haven’t done Pilates before – and you have been active during your life – you’re good to go! However, if you haven’t been doing any regular exercise in the last couple of years, they suggest speaking with your doctor before you start.
Pilates works on strengthening your core, which consists of the three muscles in your abdomen as well as your lower-back muscles. As we get older, we become prone to falls as a result of a shift in our centre of balance. Strengthening the core improves our centre of gravity and, as a result, balance.
In addition, Pilates’ very controlled and slow movements improve flexibility. As this movement focuses on movement while stretching, it allows you to move farther without inducing pain. In addition, the great benefit of being flexible is that if you are more flexible, you’ll end up experiencing less muscle tension.
How To Get Started
If you want to get started with Pilates, it’s best that you have a few private sessions with a private Pilates instructor who can show you the basics of Pilates practice. Alternatively, if this is not possible look for a studio that offers small classes. Before class, or even when you book, tell the instructor about anything which could impact your practice. This is so that they can adapt any of the exercises for you.
During the class, the instructor will check up on you to see how you’re doing. Don’t take this as them picking on you! All they’re doing is seeing if you’re coping with the exercises. If you feel any pain during class, don’t be afraid of speaking up because if you don’t, you could end up hurting yourself.
Most gyms and private studios have mat classes, while others will also offer reformer classes. The great thing about the mat Pilates class is that they are less expensive as the equipment that you use – a mat – is less expensive than a reformer. Also, you can buy your own mat and practise your new-found Pilates moves at home so that you can improve your practice.
Pilates is a great exercise for older people as it’s low impact while still having all of the benefits of a great workout. It improves flexibility and also targets core strength. Having a strong core has a whole lot of benefits, such as improving balance as well as decreasing lower-back pain.
