5 things you can do to help improve your strength and balance this April Falls.
Having good strength and balance reduces risk of trips and falls and helps us to live independently as we get older. Here are five things you can do to improve your strength and balance this April Falls awareness month and beyond.
1. Include strength training as part of your weekly activity plan. Strength training is any exercise that involves using weights or resistance to build strength in your muscles.
2. Practise simple exercises in the home like sitting and standing up from a chair repeatedly, raising your legs from side to side or lifting your toes or heels, holding on to benches for support if necessary.
3. Join an exercise group or program. Activities like tai chi, yoga, dancing and bowls will all help with your flexibility.
4. Look for opportunities to increase incidental physical activity in your daily routine, such as walking up the stairs, doing housework like vacuuming or mopping, gardening and walking to the shops.
5. Make sure you are getting enough calcium and vitamin D to support bone strength.
Remember: To avoid injury while strength training, talk to your doctor, physiotherapist or exercise physiologist.
Looking to level up? Try the Stable and Able Challenge — a four-week program encouraging older adults to complete a set of evidence-based strength and balance exercises.
Phone 02 4320 9700 or email: [email protected]
