As we get older, many of us will notice our bodies start to feel a little stiff, and that’s why it’s important to work on maintaining mobility as you age, because ageing doesn’t mean that we have to become less active, it just means that you need to be intentional about keeping moving.
Mobility is defined as the ability to move joints through a comfortable range of motion with control; maintaining this is important for so many daily activities such as climbing the stairs or reaching things from the top shelf of the supermarket.
Consistent movement and exercise will support mobility long into the future, and Pilates is an approach that can help.
Pilates classes provide a structured, supportive environment for developing strength and balance, which will help to maintain mobility.
This blog is all about how Pilates can help with maintaining mobility as you age, so let’s start at the beginning – what happens to mobility as our bodies get older?
What happens to mobility as we age?
As we get older, there are some natural effects of ageing that many of us may experience.
Whilst these often aren’t pleasant, the good news is that becoming inactive is not a natural part of ageing!
Some of the common changes that people may experience as they age include:
- Reduced range of movement of our hips, shoulders and spine
- Osteopenia – gradual loss of muscle mass
- Changes in balance and co-ordination
- Previous injuries affecting our movement
- Arthritis of our joints causing pain and discomfort and restricting mobility
These changes aren’t inevitable to the same degree for everyone, and regular physical activity will help many people to remain more mobile, stronger, flexible and active for many years.
Why maintaining mobility is important
It’s crucial to maintain mobility as you age if you want to make everyday movements easier.
Other practical benefits include supporting posture, helping to maintain independence and making exercise more enjoyable.
Pilates is a great exercise method for maintaining mobility, as it focuses not simply on ‘working out’ but on how your body moves, boosting body awareness and confidence outside of classes and in all areas of life.
How does Pilates support mobility?
There are many areas in which Pilates can help to maintain mobility as you age – here are a few that we’d like to highlight.
Controlled movement
In Pilates, exercises are performed deliberately, with repeated controlled movements, rather than relying on momentum.
This encourages awareness of how the body moves, a skill which is immediately transferrable once you’re home from the studio.
Strength and stability
Pilates helps to build core strength, as well as strength around the hips, shoulders and other areas; stronger muscles help to make everyday movements feel more manageable.
Flexibility and range of movement
Pilates exercises move the body through varied positions and ranges of motion, and regular practice can complement additional flexibility work, helping to maintain a broad range of mobility.
Balance and co-ordination
Pilates helps participants to grow in body control, alignment and co-ordination – qualities which become increasingly useful as we grow older as we notice movement patterns which may shift.
Pilates isn’t about being flexible or already fit
People often assume that Pilates is only for young, flexible or athletic people, but we’d like to take this opportunity to reassure you that this is definitely not true.
At New Healthy Body, all of our classes are suitable for any age and experience level, and our instructors are able to tailor exercises to your specific aims, so if you mention that you’re hoping to maintain mobility as you age, they’ll adapt the class to suit this for you.
We love having beginners at the studio, and we always want our members to know that consistency matters much more than perfection.
Progress looks different for everybody, and our members are from a huge range of backgrounds and experience levels.
Simple tips for maintaining mobility between classes
As well as Pilates, there are plenty of great ways for you to maintain mobility as you age.
We’d recommend:
- Breaking up long periods of sitting down
- Incorporating gentle mobility exercises into your day
- Carrying on doing the activities you enjoy
- Building exercise into a consistent routine
- Listening to your body and seeking professional medical advice if you’re experiencing persistent pain or concerns.
If you don’t currently take part in any regular exercise, starting with one or two Pilates classes each week could be a great starting point for you to start to improve your mobility.
Getting started with Pilates
If you haven’t tried Pilates before, you’re in the right place. We know it can be daunting, but we’re here to help you as you start your Pilates journey.
Here are our recommendations:
- Find a beginner-friendly class. At New Healthy Body, all of our classes are for mixed abilities/levels and we love welcoming beginners, as we can adapt all exercises for any experience level.
- Tell your instructor about limitations or concerns. All our instructors are highly qualified and can adapt all exercises where needed, to work around injuries and medical conditions.
- Start at a manageable level. Remember, progress is more about consistency than tackling the most challenging movements. We always encourage beginners to start at the first level and get the basics of Pilates right, before progressing to the next level
- Focus on technique rather than intensity. Pilates is all about mastering good controlled movements, focusing on centring, concentration, precision and flow .
- Build consistency gradually. Patience, persistence and regular attendance will all help you to improve over time.
Ready to keep moving well? Talk to us about maintaining mobility as you age
Hopefully through reading this blog you’ve realised that mobility is something worth investing in, no matter what age you are.
Small, consistent habits add up and make all the difference, and we believe that Pilates offers a combination of controlled movement, strength and body awareness which is incredible beneficial for maintaining long-term mobility.
Remember, the goal is not to fight ageing, but to support your body so that you can continue moving with confidence long into the future.
We’d love to welcome you to one of our Pilates classes, either online or in-person at our Sheffield studio. Browse our website to find a session which suits you; whether you’re completely new to Pilates or returning after a break, our instructors can help you build confidence, strength and mobility at your own pace.
If you have any questions or queries we’ll be happy to chat more – get in contact and find out how New Healthy Body can help you with maintaining mobility as you age.