Being able to balance is an essential function of daily activities. Balancing is learned at a very young age, from learning to walk, riding a bicycle, bending over to touch your toes, and countless other activities throughout life. Balance training provides the necessary abilities for many routine activities and reduces the chance of injury. Like skiing, balance training is a skill that can be learned, but consistency is crucial to creating that muscle memory. 

According to Hinge Health Learning Center, balancing has many benefits.

Benefits of Balance Training Awareness. Balance Training allows an individual to recognize how their body moves and the limits of their movements.

Response Time. If you are jogging on a sidewalk and trip, you must regroup quickly to prevent falling. Balance training helps quicken the response time and strength in your limbs to reduce the chance of falling or injury. 

Strength. Balance training increases muscular strength and helps diminish overused stress on joints.

Balance. Balance Training requires many muscles to coordinate movement between an individual's mind and body. Balance Training is an excellent exercise for the brain, keeping an individual mentally sharp.

Improves Workout Plan. Many personal trainers incorporate bala nce training in their strength training plans, increasing strength and coordination in their clients. An example would be single-leg overhead presses.

Balance training can be completed almost anywhere and with minimal to no equipment. There are many levels, from beginner to advanced. A balancing exercise can be more challenging by simply closing your eyes or letting go of support.  

Hinge Health Learning Center recommends incorporating the following types of exercise into your fitness program or daily activities.

Yoga. It helps improve an individual’s flexibility, endurance, strength, and balance. Many personal trainers offer Yoga as an option in their programs. Yoga is also an excellent, low-impact form of exercise. 

Tai chi. An exercise program that focuses on balanced martial arts.

Balance stances. Balance training can be completed in the comfort of your own home or at work. Practice standing on one leg while performing a routine activity. Have a chair handy if you need it for support. Try and hold for 30 seconds. To make it more challenging, do not use the chair for support. To make it even harder, stand on an unstable surface like a BOSU ball to increase the challenge.

Balance Training for Seniors

According to Harvard Medical School, we lose our responsiveness to balance as we age. It is a complicated task that requires coordination between our skeletal muscular system, bone, brains, eyes, and ears.  

Also, as individuals age, inner ear disorders, dizziness when standing, and problems with feet develop. This is why seniors need to incorporate balance exercises into their fitness programs.

Working with a personal trainer can help Seniors increase their strength, improving their balance.

Harvard Medical School recommends seniors prac tice the following movements.

Tandem Standing- one foot in front of the other, heel to toe, lift arms out to the side and hold.

Braiding: arms at side, cross right foot over left, then left foot over right, and repeat for ten to twelve steps.

Rock Step: lift arms out to the side, then step forward with your left foot and lift your right knee, hold, and then repeat on the other side. 

The bottom line is practice, practice, practice. 

At Goal Patrol - Hitting Your Personal Best Life, we understand the importance of staying active and respecting your body's signals. Our team of dedicated life coaches and personal trainers can provide expert guidance on maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. We've got you covered if you have any questions or need support with fitness training. Don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected] for more information about our services.