Three exercises to improve your balance

Balance is “an even weight distribution enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady.”  One of the most common questions is, “how can I improve my balance?”  That is a simple question with a complex answer. Our unique human body has a vestibular system, vision, and proprioception to keep us upright and stable. This is amazing because if we didn’t have these systems all working in harmony day after day, we would fall over every day and never be able to get up and navigate the world.

Many factors affecting these systems can affect our balance. A few factors that affect our balance are ear disorders, vision issues, vertigo, colds/flu/covid, muscle imbalances, and neurological conditions.

According to the CDC, 1 in 4 adults over 65 will experience a fall in their lifetime. Falling is the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries in older adults.

How can you improve your balance? First of all, all studies agree that active adults tend to have better balance and recovery from falls when they do occur. Many studies agree that ankle mobility can significantly aid your balance — mainly because our feet and ankles need to respond to the ground and direction changes when we walk. Studies also show that as we age, we lose ankle mobility and joints and muscles stiffen. This “stiffness” can hinder our response to our balance control.

The video below shows three simple things you can practice anywhere to help improve your balance. Take a look and pick one or two things to practice at first, then see what you can add on as you improve.

Many of our classes and sessions have balance components added to them to help practice your balance. Our Bellicon Balance Class, Barre Bounce, and Melt classes all offer a specific focus on improving balance. Most of all, keep moving and stay flexible for overall health!