As the ladies in our Zumba Gold and other classes will tell you, keeping physically active in later life has many benefits, both physically and mentally.
As well as having more ‘get up and go’ in general, maintaining and improving muscle strength and balance helps people carry out daily activities and reduce their risk of falls. Staying physically active means staying independent for longer and doing the things you value most.
Consider this from The Centre for Ageing Better:
From the age of 40, adults lose 8% of their muscle mass per decade
People over 60 spend up to 80% of their waking day sitting down
41% of people over 70 don’t realise strength and balance exercises can help reduce risk of falls
Vestibular Disorders
Problems with the vestibular system can cause balance issues and dizziness. The vestibular system is the parts of the inner ear and brain that process sensory information and control balance and eye movements. Labyrinthitis, vertigo and general unsteadiness are all common vestibular disorders. Symptoms of chronic dizziness or imbalance can have a significant impact on daily tasks like bathing, dressing and getting around inside the home. We know that low muscle strength and poor balance are the two most common preventable risk factors for falls. Falls become more common and are the most frequent cause of hip fractures.
Even healthy older people usually have less secure balance than when they were younger.
Sometimes several conditions come together to produce balance problems, like ear or eye problems, arthritis or circulatory issues.
Why do you need to work on it?
Older adults are advised to do at least two sessions of muscle strengthening and balance activities per week, yet very few people meet this target. The good news is that we’re now offering 2 sessions of Gentle Pilates each week! But even activities like gardening and carrying shopping bags can help to improve muscle strength and dancing can also help with co-ordination and posture.
Joining a class that is specifically designed for more mature people will ensure that you’re strengthening muscles and making your joints more resilient in a safe and comfortable environment. Zumba Gold and our Gentle Pilates classes are great for reducing back pain, improving posture, making friends and having a laugh!
Our motto is ‘The more you do, the more you can do’ – muscles respond to repetitive actions and a stronger core and strong ankles will really keep you feeling more confident and active. And let’s not underestimate the power of meeting up with like-minded people and enjoying yourself!
Come and have a go at one of our classes, you’ll be sure of a warm welcome and a suitable workout. Visit the Pilates page on the menu above for more info.