3 forms of exercise that may help improve your balance

This October is balance and falls month at Complete Care Shop, all about supporting you in improving your balance and helping to reduce your risk of falling.

Starting with exercise.

If your balance isn’t quite what it used to be, the thought of doing any kind of exercise may be daunting. Even more so, if you’re currently socially distancing at home to stay safe.

If you have any concerns, it’s always a good to speak with your doctor before starting any kind of exercise programme.

Here are three forms of exercise that may help you to improve your balance and mobility:

Go back to the basics with the NHS

The NHS has a series of very gentle balance exercises on their website. These are very easy exercises that you can do at home as they don’t involve any equipment. All you need is yourself and perhaps a wall or rail to help support you while you do the exercise. 

They also have exercises that can help to improve your strength, flexibility, and even some that can be done while sitting.

All their exercises are designed for people who haven’t exercised in a while, so should be suitable for most people.

Tai chi

Getting older increases your risk of falling. Studies have suggested that tai chi can help reduce this risk in older people by 19%.[1]  

Tai chi comprises of a series of flowing movements and deep breathing that help to improve balance, general mobility, and reduce stress. It’s a low-impact form of exercise which makes it a good option for older people.[2] 

There are many gyms around the country now opening up socially-distanced classes again, you can also find beginner classes online. 

Yoga

Yoga is a form of exercise that helps you improve your strength, balance, and flexibility. The NHS suggests that it may help reduce your risk of falling. [3]

There are many different types of yoga so you can be sure to find a class that suits your needs. A good yoga teacher will be able to help you adapt the movements if you have a condition that needs accommodating. 

Like with tai chi, many gyms around the country are opening up socially-distanced classes again. If you’ve never done yoga before, it’s always recommended to take part in a class first to make sure that you are doing the poses correctly. If you prefer, there are plenty of online classes you can follow as well.

If you need a yoga mat, we have a variety of exercise mats including the Phoenix Fitness Yoga Mat and the Airex Coronella 200 Exercise Mat.

If you have any concerns about your balance or mobility, please speak with a doctor as they may be able to help treat or alleviate your symptoms. They may also be able to offer further help and tips to help you move more.

[1] https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/54/15/885.full

[2] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/guide-to-tai-chi/

[3] https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/guide-to-yoga/