Balanced Body Reformer Suitable for Seniors
Yes, if you are a healthy senior, you can continue to strengthen your body and improve flexibility with Pilates. It’s an excellent alternative to impact-based exercise like jogging because it uses your own body weight and spring resistance to create movement and encourage your bones to grow strong.
However, many seniors find that certain movements on a reformer or other fitness equipment may be too challenging for their bodies or put them at risk of injury. It’s important to work with a qualified Pilates instructor to ensure that your movements are safe and beneficial for your body.
Adding springs to your Reformer offers more resistance, creating an even greater challenge for the body while providing useful feedback and increasing ease of use. The springs can be placed in a variety of positions to adjust the level of difficulty. This makes it easy to customize your workout and build confidence in extending the joints in new ways.
Aside from the physical benefits, a regular Pilates practice can help with mental clarity and balance. It’s also a great way to maintain bone density as you age and improve posture, breathing and circulation. A combination of all of these benefits can help you feel your best as you age and manage health conditions like arthritis or osteoporosis.
The most important thing to remember when starting a new fitness program is to listen to your body. Start slow and increase your exercise intensity gradually to prevent injuries. Then, once you are feeling more confident in your ability to extend the joints, work with a qualified instructor to progress in your practice and try new movements safely.
Is the Balanced Body Reformer Suitable for Seniors?
If you are a beginner to Pilates, a beginner’s series can help you learn the correct technique and get familiar with the equipment before advancing into more challenging moves. A Beginner’s Series is a great place to start for seniors because it provides a safe and supportive environment while promoting stretching and strengthening.
Another option is a standing Pilates class. This type of exercise shifts the weight of your body onto one foot, which requires activation and strength through the hip and leg muscles to improve balance and proprioception.
As you age, you will naturally lose muscle mass. Poor posture can contribute to this loss as it can cause your shoulders to jut forward and your back to slouch. Pilates focuses on aligning and balancing the spine, which can help reduce pain in the neck and back.
The shoulder blocks on a balanced body reformer have two positions and attach to the carriage with key-hole mechanisms, making it easier for beginners to lock in a specific position. It’s a much simpler adjustment than on the Balanced Body Studio Reformer, which has only one position for the shoulder block and requires you to manage the carriage wobble while searching for the right spot. The springbar on the Flexia is also a simple lift-and-lock adjustment, allowing you to move the gears in and out with a quick, smooth motion.
