Balance and flexibility exercises provide great benefits for seniors and the elderly.
For one thing, improving balance can help to prevents falls which can have serious consequences.
Flexibility exercises can help alleviate aches and pains that are sometimes associated with ageing too like arthritis, stiff joints and muscle cramps.
Keeping flexible and well balanced also helps many seniors remain independent with age too because it can help with mobility.
Types of flexibility and balance exercises suitable for seniors
Flexibility and balance exercise are suitable for all ages. They are particularly suited to older people because most of them are considered ‘low impact’ types of exercise which do not place too much stress on the muscles or joints.
Yoga. Well known for improving flexibility, Yoga can be enjoyed at any age. For seniors, Yoga provides a great way to improve flexibility through gentle poses which don’t place too much stress on the muscles.
You don’t need experience and you definitely don’t need to be super flexible to start doing Yoga in Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah. Professional yoga coaches can customise their programs to suit all ages and abilities.
As well as being a great way to improve flexibility and balance Yoga can also provide mental health benefits too. And, seniors who attend Yoga classes in the UAE enjoy the social interaction benefit too.
Pilates. You might think you need to be slim and flexible to do Pilates but again this is a misconception. At some point everyone who does Pilates was a beginner and the same applies to seniors. If balance improvement is important to you then Pilates will definitely help.
It can help with lower body balance, helping you feel more steady on your feet and also improve the blood flow to your muscles.
Pilates, like Yoga is a great way to add stretching to your workout routine. Stretching really helps to loosen tight muscles, especially in the morning.
Tai Chi. So popular in the far east, Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese exercise method that is perfect for seniors. In China you often see large groups of seniors and the elderly in parks doing their morning Tai Chi practice. With it’s sequence of moves it helps to stimulate blood flow to all the major organs and muscles and increases your alertness for the rest of the day.
You don’t need experience to learn how to do basic Tai Chi moves. A Tai Chi personal trainer or group fitness coach in the UAE can help.
Swimming. One of the best ways for seniors to keep fit, swimming is another low impact exercise that can help with flexibility. The reason is that swimming for fitness in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Sharjah provides a whole body workout. You’ll be exercising most of the major muscle groups in a gentle way which improves overall flexibility.