Stay Free Of Injuries With Strength Training Products

Terry Lane    Pilates     exercise equipment, fitness products, health and fitness, Pilates, resistance training, senior fitness, strength training

Strength training is a good idea when we are young and it’s a better idea as we age. Pilates exercises improves balance and flexibility and as we age this certainly benefits seniors. We lose 3-5% of our lean muscle mass for every decade after the age of 25. So the sooner you start strength training the better. Don’t believe you can’t gain strength as you age. You just need to work at keeping your muscle mass.

Studies have shown that the muscle fiber of those in their seventies are similar to those in their twenties. So there is hope to those frail seniors who are and have been for many years out of shape. Building up a senior’s muscle mass helps cut down of injuries due to falls. Aging effects a person’s balance and flexibility. Stamina wanes. And the muscles surrounding joints become stiff. Pilates is a gentle form of exercise that helps those of any age gain strength in the joint areas as well as throughout the entire body.

Because of this many physical therapists have adopted Pilates in their rehabilitation philosophy to help strengthen their client’s flexibility and posture along with working with them in their specific injury. Joseph Pilates who created this exercise discipline first did it as a nurse in the German army in World War One. He found that by using his exercises wounded soldiers where able to regain their strength.

It all started will Joe Pilates attaching metal springs to hospital beds. Thus the Pilates exercise equipment know today as a Reformer. If wounded soldiers could help quicker with his exercises than those who are out of shape would benefit just as much. Joe knew that his exercises helped develop flexibility in joints and surrounding tissues. Today certified Pilates instructors are helping their clients that are de-conditioned too. Even arthritis sufferers are seeing the advantages of Pilates exercises. They find that they develop a fuller range of motion in their joints which helps them improve their social life, their state of mind and their overall health.

Today Pilates equipment has come a long way from those days of springs attached to hospital beds. Now that once apparatus is called a reformer. With other Pilates equipment like Pilates rings and exercise mats along with instructional DVDs on a multitude of Pilates exercises, this exercise form has evolved into the mainstream. Along with exercise balls, and resistance bands one can achieve so much from implementing Pilates exercises into a fitness program.

Pilates rehabilitation practice by physical therapists see the exercises help their patients improve their muscle and joint strength after suffering an injury. Since Pilates exercises are gentle on joints it won’t over-stress the body any more. Seniors are especially vulnerable to injuries due to falls. Pilates is preventive medicine. Keeping the body strong today will help the body stay injury free tomorrow. And staying free from injuries allows a senior to become more active in sports related activities such as golf and tennis. What senior doesn’t want a more fulfilling lifestyle?

Most instructors are not trained nor qualified to make a diagnosis for injured clients. Their job is to work in conjunction with physical therapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, or anyone in the medical profession. Certified Pilates instructors are there to simply teach. The method in itself is rehabilitative and therapeutic. Most people, no matter their age or level of fitness, can benefit from Pilates workouts. We all have weak links in our muscular skeletal makeup. A Pilates exercise routine is an option to balance out our weaknesses and get us, and keep us, on our feet.

Strength training products like a medicine ball helps conditions the body to stay strong. A unique medicine ball makes a perfect versatile total body shaping tool.