Do You Struggle with Balance?

During my years as a dancer, there is one skill I have learned to value above all others - balance. Balance is created by muscles working to keep you from falling over while you are moving and even when you are standing still. Your body always wants to keep you safe, but if you aren’t able to balance and create stability (especially with your core) you are more prone to falling. As humans who propel ourselves through space, navigating other people and objects, there are so many things our brains are focused on that we don't even realize the work our muscles put in to keep us upright and safe. As we age or live more sedentary lives, the proprioceptors in our bodies that tell us where we are in space don’t get as much action and can begin to get lazy, resulting in slower reaction times and the inability to correct ourselves when we are off-balance.

While this may sound frustrating, there is good news! Balance is something that can always be improved! The same way we learned to walk as small children, through small steps in controlled environments, is a base we can always go back to no matter what age we are. During my time as a personal trainer, I have seen how beneficial balance exercises are especially for senior citizens who may not feel confident doing everyday tasks such as walking up and down the stairs, getting in and out of the car, or even reaching down to pick items up off of the floor. Falling is one of the most common causes of injury among populations over 55 years of age and aside from being scary, can result in life-altering injuries. One of my biggest goals as a trainer is to keep my clients moving safely and coordinated in and outside of the gym. Making sure that the exercises we do inside the gym lead to a better quality of life outside the gym is one of our standards here at Beach Fitness.

Balance training is for everyone, no matter who or what you do! As a former dancer and now a personal trainer, balance is one of my favorite things to work on with clients. I always sneak it into training sessions because of how beneficial it is to every client from elite athletes to grandparents! Balance training is something that can be easily integrated into your everyday life such as standing on one foot while waiting in line, or while brushing your teeth in the morning. I have noticed that when I do the easy balance exercises I instruct my clients to do, I not only dance better, but I move through my day with more confidence knowing I can adjust to whatever life throws at me. And as a personal trainer, my goal is to help my clients feel that same confidence moving through their everyday routines. If balance training is something you need, do not hesitate to call Beach Fitness to book an appointment with me or one of our other highly qualified personal trainers.