4 Reasons Older Adults Should Try Pilates

People of all ages find it challenging to stay fit and stick with a fitness routine. Older adults have special considerations before choosing specific exercises. Find out the four reasons older adults should try Pilates.

It Can Boost Your Mood

One of the best benefits of Pilates is that it can boost your mood. Exercise can decrease stress and anxiety and make you feel more positive about yourself and life. While Pilates emphasizes strengthening your core, you can do this with gentle exercise movements that encourage you to continue working out. Consider joining a Pilates class for extra social engagement and fun.

It’s Beginner Friendly

Another reason older adults should try Pilates is that it’s beginner friendly. Whether you exercise regularly or live a sedentary lifestyle, you can modify your Pilates workout for your fitness level.

The minimal equipment requirement is another reason why Pilates is easy to start. Though you can do Pilates at home without any equipment, a soft workout mat will make you more comfortable and give your body support. Other common Pilates equipment includes the best flexibility equipment for your body, such as foam rollers.

It Teaches You Valuable Breathing Techniques

In Pilates, you’ll learn how to breathe to aid your muscle movement. Pilates breathing helps keep your abdominal muscles engaged throughout the exercises. This purposeful breathing technique also prevents you from building up tension in your neck and shoulder muscles.

One common Pilates breathing technique is lateral breathing. With lateral breathing, you inhale through your nose and direct your breath into the sides of your ribs rather than into your stomach. The breath is a normal breath rather than a deep one. After that, exhale through the mouth, bringing the rib cage back down and in. Exhalation is slow and deliberate.

It Builds Your Strength and Flexibility

Finally, Pilates builds your strength and flexibility. Pilates uses your body weight as resistance to develop long, lean muscles. Pilates focuses on strengthening your abdominal, back, and pelvic floor muscles, all of which help you improve your posture.

Pilates incorporates static and dynamic stretches. You stay still as you hold a static stretch for a length of time. In contrast, you move during dynamic stretches. This combination of static and dynamic stretches helps strengthen your muscles and increase your range of motion.