As Pilates by Joyce instructor Joyce Schaer recently said: “Changing your workouts through different periods in your life should be a priority for anyone who wants to stay strong and balanced while they get older.” While in your twenties and thirties may have been all about running your fastest mile or holding your longest plank, by the time you hit sixty, there are two other things that should be top of mind in the workout for seniors: functional strength and mobility.
Functional Strength in Workout for Seniors
As you get older, your bone and muscle density decrease and these bodily changes can present new challenges in performing everyday movements that may once have felt mindless—like going down a set of stairs or standing up from the couch. “You can’t do everything at the same capacity that you used to, and the longer you don’t use muscles, the more they shut down,” says Joyce Schaer, Pilates Instructor and founder of Pilates by Joyce, a Dallas, TX.
Because of this, Pilates is a good choice for Workout for Seniors. Functional Pilates training—which focuses on building the strength and mobility you need to continue to do those everyday movements comfortably—is key. “Crossing into your sixties is a more crucial time than ever to focus on functional strength training and mobility in your workouts, as they are the primary types of movement incorporated into your daily routine,” says Schaer.
Mobility in Workout for Seniors
“Moving towards a different style program of combining functional strength with mobility would be a perfect balance of staying strong and centered all at once.” He explains that functional strength training helps build the fundamentals you need to perform push, pull, hinge, and core movements on an everyday basis, while mobility helps to maximize your range of motion in performing these movements.
This Is How To Start Strength Training, According to Pilates by Joyce.
Pilates routine with a solid balance of strength training and mobility workouts (like Pilates) three to five times throughout the week. No matter what type of workout you’re doing, be sure to listen to your body and modify the moves as needed to stay moving with ease for a lifetime.
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This workout combines strength and mobility training into an easy-to-follow, 45-minute session. Contact us at 214-616-7989 or join our class today.